UN HRC30 Side Event: Human Rights Defenders Working in the Context of Elections in Burundi, Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda

Call for Expression of Interest – human rights defenders mentorship program

After 20 years of DefendDefenders, this is a moment not only for reflection but for action. As we honour two decades of resilience, solidarity, and advocacy, we look ahead with purpose: What can human rights defenders across generations learn from one another? To celebrate our 20th anniversary, DefendDefenders and AfricanDefenders are proud to launch The Roots of Resistance, a Mentorship Program for Young African Human Rights Defenders. This special initiative is designed to empower and connect emerging human rights defenders (HRDs) aged 18–30 through intergenerational mentorship, skills-building, and movement solidarity.

Updates from June 2025

Hello Friends, In June, the African continent saw a surge in human rights violations, highlighting the growing risks faced by those speaking truth to power. In Kenya, peaceful protests were met with deadly force, mass arrests, and media blackouts. In Ethiopia, journalist Tesfalem Waldyes remained in detention despite a court order for his release, amid official attacks on media independence.

Annual Report 2024

The year 2024 witnessed a deteriorating political and human rights climate, with the war in Sudan, police violence in Kenya, ethnic conflict in Ethiopia and political instability in the Sahel intensifying threats against human rights defenders (HRDs).

Request for Proposals for Conducting Endline Evaluation of DefendDefenders’ Strategy 2021-2025 and Baseline Study for the new Strategy 2026-2030

Job Title: Request for proposals/bids for Conducting Endline Evaluation of DefendDefenders’

Republic of Rwanda Joint Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review 51st Session of the UPR Working Group

1.1 The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (DefendDefenders) is a regional civil society organisation (CSO) registered and based in Uganda.

Request For Proposals For External Mid-Term Evaluation Of The Charm Programme (2023–2025).

The DefendDefenders, requests for proposals/bids for consultancy for conducting an external Mid-Term Evaluation of the CHARM Programme (2023–2025).