NGO Forum preceeding the 83rd ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to provide an update on the status of democracy, rule of law and human rights in East and Horn of Africaa over the last six months for the period October 2024 to May 2025.
We are pleased to convey our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for health and happiness to Their Majesties King Willem-Alexander, Sovereign of the Netherlands, and Queen Máxima on the occasion of the Dutch national unity celebrations and King’s Day.
Dr. Zahara Nampewo is a prominent Ugandan human rights lawyer, academic, and gender justice advocate with over two decades of experience in legal education, public interest litigation, and social justice. She currently serves as the Deputy Principal at the School of Law, Makerere University, and has been the Treasurer on the Board of DefendDefenders since 2019.
Hello Friends,
In the just concluded 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council Session (HRC58), our advocacy efforts focused on the extension of the mandate of the existing investigative mechanism, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (CHRSS). During the session,the CHRSS presented its report. On the 2 April, a strong resolution in line with civil society expectations was passed at the initiative of core group (UK, Norway, Albania, Ireland. It enables the CHRSS to pursue its work for at least one year as South Sudan is facing a risk of relapse into chaos. Indeed, the country has been on the brink of relapse into large-scale civil war. Heavy fighting in several parts of the country and escalating tensions in Juba are threatening to nullify the 2018 revitalised peace agreement.
The UN Human Rights Council’s (HRC) 58th session (HRC58, 24 February-4 April 2025) saw the adoption of over 30 resolutions, many of which addressed country crises.
Ttaala Workshop for Artists Human Rights Defenders in Anglophone West
By adopting a strong resolution on South Sudan, the UN
Hello Friends, March was a month of engagement and reflection on the urgent needs of human rights defenders (HRDs) across our region. As geopolitical dynamics shift and crises intensify, the threats facing HRDs have grown more complex—demanding coordinated responses and sustained solidarity.
Andrews Kananga’s long-standing relationship with DefendDefenders began in 2009, when he met Executive Director Hassan Shire and was invited to his first strategic meeting in Kampala, Uganda. That meeting marked the start of a strong collaboration rooted in a shared commitment to advancing human rights in the region. Over the years, Andrews has participated in numerous trainings and strategic convenings organised by DefendDefenders, deepening his expertise in areas such as human rights protection, digital security, and advocacy.
In 2012, he was elected by Rwandan human rights defenders to establish and lead the Rwanda Human Rights Defenders Network (RHRDN), a member of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network. As the Chairperson, he has worked closely with DefendDefenders on protection initiatives, needs assessments, and support for HRDs from both Rwanda and Burundi. In 2019, Andrew was recognised by DefendDefenders for his consistent contribution to the regional human rights movement.
DefendDefenders call for applications – Safe Sisters Fellowship Round 15 Call for
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