The enforcement of restrictive measures and directives to curb the spread of COVID-19 has profoundly disrupted the operations of human rights defenders. Beyond their everyday challenges, state responses to the pandemic in several African nations have further constricted already fragile civic and democratic spaces. In such high-pressure environments, maintaining defenders’ access to their work and advocacy is not just important—it is vital.

This study examines how COVID-19 restrictions impacted the rights and freedoms of human rights defenders in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, and Sierra Leone. It highlights the innovative strategies civil society organisations adopted to continue their missions despite coercive measures, as well as the positive contributions from governments and other stakeholders that enabled their resilience. The publication also offers actionable recommendations to strengthen the protection of defenders and preserve civic space during crises.

Serving as a powerful advocacy tool, this research addresses national, regional, and international human rights mechanisms. Its goal is to curb the misuse of coercive measures in emergencies and ensure defenders receive unwavering protection at all times.