The enforcement of restrictive measures and other directives to curb COVID-19 transmission has fundamentally altered how human rights defenders operate. Beyond their usual challenges, pandemic response strategies in multiple African nations have further constricted already limited civic and democratic spaces across the region. In these unprecedented circumstances, maintaining defenders’ access to their advocacy and operational work remains paramount.

This study examines the repercussions of COVID-19 restrictions on the rights and freedoms of human rights defenders in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, and Sierra Leone. It highlights ingenious strategies devised by civil society organizations to continue their vital missions despite coercive measures, while also acknowledging positive state and stakeholder efforts that facilitate their work. The publication offers actionable recommendations to strengthen protections for defenders and preserve civic spaces during emergencies.

Serving as a powerful advocacy tool, this research targets national, regional, and international human rights mechanisms to combat the misuse of coercive measures during crises and ensure continuous protection for defenders at all times.