Representing the Human Rights Implementation Centre (HRIC) of the University of Bristol, Ramy Abdelhady, a PhD candidate and HRIC administrator, attended the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in Banjul, The Gambia, which took place from 21 to 30 October 2025.
During the visit, he met with Commissioners, the Executive Secretary, and other members of the Secretariat to explore opportunities for deeper cooperation on the Commission’s promotional activities and to discuss avenues for University of Bristol students to contribute to the Commission’s work through research and internships. Before beginning his doctoral studies, Ramy served as a Senior Litigation Expert at the same Commission, and his return reflected HRIC’s commitment to linking academic research with institutional practice in advancing human rights protection across Africa.
This mission forms part of HRIC’s broader efforts to support regional and international human rights mechanisms through collaborative research, capacity-building, and sustained engagement. The Centre’s approach remains grounded in fostering meaningful partnerships that translate academic insight into practical tools for strengthening human rights implementation on the ground.
HRIC has maintained an active, long-standing relationship with the African Commission, both before and after the granting of its observer status on 25 April 2016. Such status was obtained under the leadership of its founder and former Director, Professor Rachel Murray, in acknowledgement of her years of consistent engagement and support for the Commission’s work. Building on this foundation, the Centre’s current Directors, Dr. Kathryn Allinson, Dr. Giacomo Biggio, and Dr. Anamaria Santos Fonseca, continue to engage with the African Commission, as well as with other African Union institutions, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), and civil society organisations (CSOs), to advance the shared goal of effective human rights implementation across the African continent.