By Ogeyi Ebinyi
The 4th edition of the Africa International Human Rights Film Festival has opened in Lagos, drawing 154 film entries from 71 countries—a strong global turnout that reflects the scale of ongoing human rights challenges worldwide. In a statement signed by the Festival’s Communications and Strategy Lead, Shakirudeen Bankole, the Convener and Festival Director, Kehinde Adegboyega, noted that entries were received from every continent except Australia.
According to Adegboyega, data from the submissions shows “a fair representation across regions,” yet the absence of Australia and the themes emerging from the entries point to troubling global trends. “We are deeply worried,” he said, explaining that many of the marginal gains achieved through advocacy and citizens’ insistence on their rights appear to be slipping away. He added that “repressive governance, social injustice and entrenched authoritarian practices are fueling a retrogression of rights across societies.”
The classification of the films reveals a pattern of widespread violations.
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Civic and Political Rights: 31% (48 entries)
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Forced Migration and Trafficking: 20.6% (33 entries)
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Gender Rights: 13.1% (21 entries)
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Disability Rights: 11.9% (19 entries)
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Child Rights: 10.6% (17 entries)
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Climate Change and Environmental Justice: 10% (16 entries)
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Urban Development and Forced Eviction: 3.1% (5 entries)
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Digital Rights: 0.6% (1 entry)
The data, according to festival organisers, paints a troubling global picture—one that shows “uniformity in the struggle for justice,” as similar violations were documented across continents.
On continental representation, Europe submitted the highest number of entries, followed by the Americas, Africa and Asia. France led Europe with 10 films, followed by Italy and the United Kingdom with eight each. Spain submitted six entries, Russia five, and Germany four—underscoring persistent rights abuses despite Europe’s advanced human rights systems.
In the Americas, the United States recorded 12 entries, the highest from the region, reflecting concerns related to police brutality, discrimination, and migration crises. Canada and Brazil followed with five entries each, while Colombia submitted three and Mexico and Argentina two apiece.
Africa recorded strong participation, led by Nigeria with 10 entries. Other submissions came from South Africa (4), Sudan (2), and single entries from Tunisia, Senegal, Namibia, Madagascar, Morocco, Egypt, Cameroon and Burundi. These films highlighted recurring issues such as state repression, conflict, institutional failure and gender-based violence.
Entries from Asia totaled 22, including seven from Turkey, and two each from India, Israel and Hong Kong. Other countries represented include Japan, South Korea, Iran, the Philippines, Tajikistan, Jordan, Yemen and China. Their submissions explored themes such as surveillance, censorship, ethnic persecution and war-related abuses. Several films also covered transnational violations, reflecting how modern human rights abuses increasingly transcend borders.
Adegboyega stressed that the festival’s submission patterns reveal a grim global reality. “Human rights violations are not only local but global, with all regions caught in the web. We must do better,” he said.
The Project Manager of the festival, Ifeoluwa Peter, added that the opening film, titled “Spain Is Not Different,” is a short documentary that exposes patriarchal systems, societal stereotypes and the subjugation of vulnerable women. She emphasized that this year’s festival aligns strongly with SDGs 5 (Gender Equality), 13 (Climate Action), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The festival continues in Lagos, reinforcing the role of storytelling and film in advancing sustainable development and amplifying global calls for justice.
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Human rights violation is a global issue that needs great attention.