Hello Friends, September was a busy month for us, from advocacy to capacity building. At the start of the month, AfricanDefenders hosted its annual Ubuntu Hub Cities Coordinators Workshop in Durban, South Africa, while there, I found myself revisiting a question: Why must African human rights defenders seek safety outside the continent?
Esther Tawiah is a Ghanaian woman human rights defender (WHRD) and passionate advocate for gender equality, governance, and women’s political participation. Over the years, she has dedicated her work to amplifying women’s voices, strengthening democratic accountability, and ensuring that women take their rightful place in leadership across Africa. As the Coordinator of the Ubuntu Hub City in Accra under AfricanDefenders, Esther plays a vital role in protecting and supporting human rights defenders at risk, offering them safety, solidarity, and hope.
We are thrilled to welcome three new members to our team: Ainobusingye Praise, Daniel Martin Ikosiot, and Floor Veldman. Joining us as fellows, each one brings a unique experience and talent that will support us in enhancing our mandate to protect and promote the work of human rights defenders.
Oral statements delivered during the 60th session of the UN
The 60th UN Human Rights Council (HRC) session will convene from 8 September to 8 October 2025 to deliberate on the global human rights context. Among the situations under consideration is the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Now in its third year, the conflict is one of the most devastating on the continent, resulting in the displacement of over 13 million people and more than 150,000 civilian deaths.
“When you plant a seed, you have the faith that it will grow. I left, but I had the faith that this network would grow, and its growth has exceeded my expectations.”
In a joint letter released today, 40+ Burundian, African, and
Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session (HRC60,
Hello Friends, The 59th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC59)), held from 16 June to 8 July 2025, was shortened due to the UN’s liquidity crisis, resulting in cancelled debates and undelivered OHCHR reports. Despite these challenges, the session stood out for its focus on Eritrea.
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.