Open letter: Concerns over Somalia’s voting record at the UN Human Rights Council
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmaajo” President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Cc.: H.E. Mr. Hassan Ali Khayre, Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Ms. Deqa Yasin, Minister of Women and Human Rights Development H.E. Ms. Ebyan Mahamed Salah, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Somalia […]
DefendDefenders Newsletter: October 2019
Dear friends and colleagues, October 2019 has brought good tidings to DefendDefenders and the East and Horn of Africa sub-region, making me optimistic as we move towards the end of the year – a year that so far has been filled with serious human rights challenges. The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize 2019 to Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is a big win for the country, illustrating that political will can convert […]
Don’t Shoot the Messenger: End Impunity Against Journalists in the East and Horn of Africa sub-region
Disappearance, arbitrary arrests, torture, and killings of journalists in the East and Horn of Africa sub-region are far too common, raising serious red flags to the state of freedom of expression, press freedom, and access to information in the sub-region. Today, as we commemorate the International Day to End Impunity Against Journalists, we call on governments to ensure justice for journalists and media workers who are victims of human rights […]
DefendDefenders Oral Statements at ACHPR65
Item 8: Activity report of the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders and focal point on reprisals in Africa Honourable Chairperson, distinguished Commissioners, State delegates, representatives of National Human Rights Institutions and non-governmental organisations, DefendDefenders (The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) and AfricanDefenders welcome the opportunity to draw your attention to […]
ACHPR65: Human Rights Situation in Africa
65th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Item 4: Human Rights Situation in Africa Delivered by Hassan Shire Mister Chairperson, distinguished Commissioners, State delegates, representatives of National Human Rights Institutions and non-governmental organisations, DefendDefenders (The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) and AfricanDefenders (Pan-African Human Rights […]
Reflections on the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council
Oral statements to the Council Advocacy documents and press releases Side-events at the Council Outcomes and resolutions My delegation took an active part in the last UN Human Rights Council session of the year, the HRC’s 42nd regular session (HRC42, 9-27 September 2019). The session witnessed a record number of resolutions adopted by the Council for […]
DefendDefenders Newsletter August 2019
Dear friends and colleagues, Last week, we commemorated the International Day of Victims of Disappearance, in solidarity with the many African human rights defenders (HRDs) that have disappeared, been tortured, and/or killed. It is an atrocious crime which demands our immediate attention. FOCODE have reported 140 disappearances of HRDs and political opponents in Burundi over […]
Reflections on the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council
Oral statements to the Council Briefing papers and press releases Side-events at the Council Outcomes and resolutions My delegation attended the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC41), building on successful outcomes of previous sessions. We emphasise that being a member of the Council does not prevent scrutiny, and that the Council should stand […]
Kenya: DefendDefenders submits joint report to the 35th Session of the UPR Working Group
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all United Nations Member States. The process provides for the participation of all relevant stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and national human rights institutions (NHRIs). Civil society actors and NHRIs can submit information which can be […]
AfricanDefenders in the Footsteps of Madiba!
Tata Madiba! In your dream, you believed in human dignity, equality, justice, peace and fundamental freedoms: “for to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.’’ Tata Madiba! You inspire us. You empowered us and taught us to be a rose between the thorns of discrimination […]