On 28 April 2025, the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL) welcomed Hon. Selma SASSI-SAFER, Commissioner and Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
This important visit reflects the growing cooperation between AFRIPOL and the ACHPR and marks a significant step towards strengthening collaboration in the promotion and protection of human rights within police missions across the African continent.
The meeting served a dual purpose. Firstly, it aimed to foster institutional dialogue and build synergies between the two entities in areas of shared strategic interest. Secondly, it supported the dissemination and advocacy efforts related to research studies and initiatives conducted to enhance the implementation of African and international legal instruments concerning the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and migrants.
Discussions emphasized the critical importance of mainstreaming human rights standards into policing practices, particularly regarding vulnerable populations. Both institutions reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing a human-rights-based approach to security, mobility governance, and the protection of displaced communities across Africa.
This engagement further strengthens AFRIPOL’s broader mission to promote respect for human rights within law enforcement frameworks and to ensure that African policing strategies are fully aligned with continental and international human rights obligations.
