El Fasher atrocities under UN spotlight, but accountability gaps remain in Sudan
14 November 2025
In light of the atrocities committed by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid
In light of the atrocities committed by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid
After the UN Human Rights Council changed its approach to
Ten years after the unresolved 2015 crisis, and with no
Meeting in Geneva today, the UN Human Rights Council adopted
The UN Human Rights Council’s adoption of a resolution on
Since August 2024, and under the leadership of Hassan Shire, Executive Director of DefendDefenders and Chairperson of AfricanDefenders, two missions have been deployed to Somalia to evaluate the current landscape for human rights defenders (HRDs), 10 years after the launch of the report titled Between the Rock and the Hard Place.
By adopting a strong resolution on South Sudan, the UN
The undersigned African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and various international
The undersigned African civil society organizations (CSOs) and various international
As Burundi enters two successive election periods (2025 and 2027),
The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) for Sudan will continue
By extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea,
By adopting a resolution entitled “Advancing human rights in South
Two days after Burundi was elected a member of the
The UN Human Rights Council’s adoption of a resolution on
DefendDefenders and Defenders Coalition- Kenya condemn the recent actions
The UN Human Rights Council extended its scrutiny of Eritrea’s
The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council took an important
The UN Human Rights Council’s decision to extend the mandate
As grave human rights violations continue to be reported in
Weeks after hostilities resumed in northern Ethiopia, today the United
DefendDefenders and AfricanDefenders join the rest of the world to
DefendDefenders welcomes the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council’s adoption
By adopting a new resolution on Sudan today, the United
Today, 3 May 2021, DefendDefenders joins the rest of the
DefendDefenders welcomes the UN Human Rights Council’s decision to adopt
The international community should not allow Sudan’s military regime to
The UN Human Rights Council took an important step to
The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council took a positive
Tanzania should use its human rights review at the United
That the world annually needs a special day to remind
Six international human rights groups – Amnesty International, the Burundi
The UN Human Rights Council’s decision to maintain its scrutiny
The UN Human Rights Council’s decision to drop its Sudan-focused
By adopting a resolution on the situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray
By adopting a new resolution on Eritrea, the UN Human
AfricanDefenders and DefendDefenders join the rest of the world to
Amid ongoing political uncertainty in Somalia, the international community should
Press freedom and information as a public good DefendDefenders commemorates World Press Freedom
The UN Human Rights Council has assumed its responsibility to
A United Nations review of Rwanda’s human rights record is
The undersigned organisations strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest of renowned
In commemoration of International Human Rights Defenders Day and International Human
In commemoration of International Human Rights Defenders’ Day and Human Rights Day celebrated
The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) took a decisive step
Through a resolution adopted at the close of the 45th
DefendDefenders welcomes the adoption of a UN Human Rights Council
In the absence of concrete progress on Burundi’s human rights
We, the undersigned organisations and individuals are concerned about the
As despite the peace process and diplomatic breakthroughs in the
The United Nations’ (UN) top human rights body, the Human
As human rights defenders (HRDs) in the East and Horn
DefendDefenders (the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders
DefendDefenders is concerned over a statement released by Somalia’s intelligence service, the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), in which the agency accused renowned journalist, author, and Al-Shabaab expert Harun Maruf of being “a threat” to national security and contemplated legal action against him.
Sudanese authorities have been unjustly holding Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam,
The government of Tanzania should end its hostile rhetoric toward
Eleven human rights groups unequivocally condemn the extra-judicial killing of
Ahead of the 35th session of the UN Human Rights Council, a coalition of civil society organisations calls upon Member States to support the establishment of an independent, impartial, and international investigation in into alleged violations committed by Ethiopian security forces.
The Ugandan government must guarantee Dr. Stella Nyanzi, an academic
Version française ci-dessous DefendDefenders (the East and Horn of Africa
We, the undersigned South Sudanese, regional and international non-governmental organisations, write to urge your delegation to renew and strengthen the mandate and capacity of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan to address the continued lack of accountability for severe, widespread and on-going crimes under international law and human rights violations and abuses, many of which amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, during the upcoming 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Dr. Mudawi Ibrahim Adam, a prominent Sudanese human rights defender,
Somaliland authorities should immediately end judicial harassment of the Human Right Center’s staff.
Ethiopian authorities should immediately disclose the location of Temesgen Desalegn,
In a new video launched on the International Human Rights
For its first annual meeting, ProtectDefenders.eu, an international consortium comprised of twelve organisations including DefendDefenders, warns about the worrying pattern of criminalisation used against Human Rights defenders throughout the world.
60 organisations call on the Egyptian government to cease silencing civil society, and to allow NGOs to conduct their mandates within Egypt’s constitutional framework and in full respect of its international legal commitments to freedom of association.
The Uganda Police Force (UPF) must preserve the sanctity of
Brussels, 13 June 2016 Dear President, High Representative, Dear Commissioners,
The recent spate of arrests and increasing harassment of journalists and human rights defenders in Somaliland are worrying demonstrations of the Government’s clampdown on public debate and freedom of expression, said DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) and Human Rights Centre-Somaliland in a statement today.
The Ethiopian Government must end its escalating crackdown on human rights defenders, independent media, peaceful protestors as well as members and leaders of the political opposition through the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation.
10 Ugandan civil society organisations urge the government of Uganda to conduct swift and transparent investigations the recent wave of office break-ins targeting human rights organisations and take steps to put an end to the practice.
The Minister for Justice and Judicial Affairs of Somaliland should immediately repeal his decision to revoke the license of human rights lawyer Guleid Ahmed Jama.
On 12 May 2016, President Museveni was sworn into his fifth term in office, amidst unacceptable restrictions on fundamental freedoms, including freedom of the press, said DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) and the National Coalition for Human Rights Defenders – Uganda (NCHRD – U) today.
Thirty nine organizations and individuals write to inform regional and international human rights mechanisms of the use of excessive force by Sudanese authorities to disperse peaceful demonstrators across Sudan. At least nine people, including one child, have been killed in three separate incidents in 2016 alone.
Mr. Aristide Nononsi UN Independent Expert on the situation of
Sudanese authorities should stop harassing civil society activists and allow them to work without arbitrary interference and intimidation.
Version française ci-dessous The recent decision by the government of
Over the course of the electoral period, Ugandan police and security forces have targeted scores of journalists by restricting access to information, damaging and confiscating equipment, and have subjected them to intimidation, physical attacks and arbitrary arrests.
25 CSOs urgently request immediate action to condemn the internet shutdown in Uganda, and to prevent any systematic or targeted attacks on democracy and freedom of expression in other African nations during forthcoming elections in 2016.
After 539 days in detention and 39 court appearances, Ethiopian
We the Undersigned representatives of the civil society of Somalia
The Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network (PAHRDN) welcomes yesterday’s decision
At the margins of the 29th session of the Human Rights Council, please join us for a side event on the human rights situation in Eritrea on Thursday 25th June at 12.30 to 15. 30 hrs in room xxv, Palais de Nations
Egyptian state authorities must immediately cease the administrative harassment of
In a joint letter twelve national, regional and international non governmental organisations urge the permanent representatives of member and observer states of the UN Human Rights council to address serious, widespread and ongoing violations and abuses of international human rights and humanitarian law committed in South Sudan and to also address the lack of any credible accountability for war crimes and possible crimes against humanity in the country during the upcoming 29th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
In light of the visible trend of shrinking space for civil society and the persistent targeting of human rights defenders and their work, the ACHPR created the Study Group on Freedom of Association and Assembly, whose report was presented during its 58th Ordinary Session.
State authorities in Somalia must ensure swift, thorough and lawful
The chairman of Somaliland’s Human Rights Centre, Guleid Ahmed Jama,
Au cours des deux derniers jours, la communauté des défenseurs
Over the last two days, Burundi’s community of human rights
(Banjul, The Gambia) A compilation of country studies examining the
Twelve South Sudanese and international organizations, committed to the promotion and protection of human rights in South Sudan, write to urge the Government of South Sudan to complete ratification of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) by depositing instruments of ratification with the African Union (AU). We urge the Government to do this in advance of the 56th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which will commence on 21 April 2015.
In an open letter to the member and observer states
In a statement delivered during the adoption of Egypt’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva yesterday, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, in partnership with the Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network (PAHRDN) made an oral intervention, highlighting the dramatically deteriorating operating space for human rights defenders and civil society organisations in Egypt. Other human rights organisations, including the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Article 19, Human Rights Watch, and the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies made similar calls for the Egyptian government to change course.
Seventy six South Sudanese and international non-governmental organizations, write to urge the African Union Peace and Security Council to immediately consider, publish and disseminate the report of the AU Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan (AUCISS).
Nous, organisations non gouvernementales sud-soudanaises et internationales signataires de la présente, vous exhortons à examiner, publier et diffuser, dans les plus brefs délais, le rapport de la Commission d’enquête sur le Soudan du Sud.
Human rights defenders from the African region provided concrete inputs to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to better protect and enable any individual or organisation seeking to engage with the African human rights system.
Les défenseurs des droits de l’homme burundais opèrent dans un
Mr. Hassan Ali Geesey (2nd left), Director of Radio Dalson
The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project
Mr. Jean-Louis Ville, Head of Unit, Governance, Democracy, Gender and
Police authorities in Cameroon should immediately launch a criminal investigation
For leading Burundian human rights defender Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, the
Human rights defenders in the East and Horn of Africa
20 African and international non-governmental organizations are writing to the Permanent Representatives of the UN Human Rights Council to urgently support the convening of a Special Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) on the deteriorating human rights situation in South Sudan.
Somaliland government authorities must allow the immediate reopening of independent
Your Excellency, The undersigned nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are writing to
Seven student activists are now detained without access to their
The Swaziland authorities should immediately release Mr. Thulani Maseko and Mr. Bheki Makhubu, the Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network said today. The human rights lawyer and journalist were arrested on Monday 17th March 2014, reportedly in response to articles published in a national magazine.
The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project
President Museveni’s decision to sign the Anti-Homosexuality Act into law
South Sudan: Civil Society Under Threat; Increased Human Rights Monitoring
Kenyan police must immediately release Muchangi Nyaga, a human rights
The Government of Eritrea should accept recommendations to cooperate fully with the United Nations human rights system, said Human Rights Concern-Eritrea, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project and CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, following its examination at the Universal Periodic Review yesterday.
His Excellency Kristian Schmidt, Ambassador of the European Union to Uganda, paid a courtesy call to the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP), the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), and DanChurchAid at the Human Rights House in Kampala this morning
On Human Rights Day, the East and Horn of Africa
The adoption of a resolution on protecting women human rights
Ethiopia’s human rights record will be examined in April 2014
Eritrea’s human rights record will be examined in January 2014, at the 18th session of the Universal Periodic Review by other UN member states. Eritrea will declare what actions it has taken to improve its human rights situation and fulfill its human rights obligations. A review of a State is based on a national report prepared by the State under review; a compilation of United Nations information on the State under review prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR); and a summary of information submitted by other stakeholders (including civil society actors), also prepared by OHCHR.The UPR process provides for the participation of all relevant stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Civil society actors can submit information which can be added to the “other stakeholders” report which is considered during the review. EHAHRDP submitted this report in June 2013.
Pour : Les représentants des Etats africains à l’ONU à
At the just concluded session of the African Commission on
The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project
At a high level stand alone interactive dialogue on the
In a joint letter, twenty four African civil society organisations urge members of the African Group to ensure that serious and widespread violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in Sudan are adequately addressed by the UN Human Rights Council during its 24th session.
Following explosions at the Village restaurant in Mogadishu on Saturday
In an open letter, twenty national, regional and international non governmental organisations call on the Human Rights Council during its 24th session to address the serious and widespread violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in Sudan.
Les autorités rwandaises devraient permettre à la société civile de
The Rwandan authorities should allow civil society to operate independently,
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, met with
In the build-up to the upcoming elections to be held
Dans le cadre des préparatifs des prochaines élections du 31
The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project
The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project
To: Permanent Representatives to the UN Human Rights Council 31
22 civil society organisations working throughout Africa write to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission to express our disappointment and concern at the reports of the decision of the African Union (AU) Heads of State, and her Office’s endorsement thereof, to limit civil society participation during the May 2013 AU Summit
Reflecting the overall theme of 2013 as the year of Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance, we are writing to call on the African Union to take urgent action to respond to the appalling situation of widespread and systematic human rights violations in Eritrea, especially in light of the commemoration’s sub-theme of promoting peace and security in Africa.
A crackdown on prominent media institutions in Uganda today chillingly
His Excellency Stefano Dejak, Ambassador of Italy to Uganda, paid
Press release Burundi: Amend New Press Law On World Press
Human rights defenders gathered in Yaounde, Cameroon for the first
The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project welcomed the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders presented yesterday to the 22nd session of the Human Rights Council being held in Geneva. In her report, Madam Margaret Sekaggya highlighted the role that national human rights institutions (NHRIs) that operate in compliance with the Paris Principles can play as human rights defenders and in support of human rights defenders.
The Somali government should immediately release freelance journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur
Marking the commencement of support from the European Commission under
The Government of Sudan should end its campaign of harassment
Fifteen non-governmental organisations wrote to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in December 2012 to urge them to ensure that serious human rights violations committed in Sudan are appropriately addressed.
To celebrate Human Rights Day the Civil Society Coalition on
Human rights defenders monitoring the resource extraction industries face serious
We, the undersigned, are a diverse group of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from around the world. With elections to the United Nations Human Rights Council quickly approaching, and with Ethiopia standing as a candidate, we are writing to urge your government to demonstrate its commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights.
As the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights continues
October 9, 2012 Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn Federal Democratic Republic
Check against delivery.
This is a joint statement on behalf of: Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Human Rights Watch, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, CIVICUS, International Federation of Human Rights Leagues
(FIDH), East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, Human Rights House Foundation, International Commission of Jurists, International Service for Human Rights.
Following the announcement on 21st August 2012 of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s death, Ethiopia’s new leadership should recommit the State to the full respect of its population’s human rights, especially the freedoms of association, assembly and expression, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP) said in a statement to the UN Human Rights Council yesterday
Following the announcement on 21 August 2012 of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s death, Ethiopia’s new leadership should recommit the State to the full respect of its population’s human rights. The Human Rights Council and Ethiopia’s international partners should equally take the opportunity to call for a number of pressing reforms to re-establish respect for the freedoms of association, assembly and expression as a matter of priority during this time of transition.
IFISO Independent Vetting Coalition congratulates Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud on his
IFISO Independent Vetting Coalition calls upon the newly selected Federal
23rd August 2012 Eighteen human rights defenders representing thirteen organizations
Article 19, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Committee to
Foreign ministers of African Union (AU) member states should reconsider
The establishment of a Special Rapporteur on Eritrea by the
Johannesburg, 25 June 2012. Civil society space in Uganda is
Mr. Salih, director of Teeba Press, former chief editor of Al-adwaa newspaper and a columnist, has been arbitrarily arrested and detained on three separate occasions on 8th, 9th and 15th May 2012. This follows almost two weeks of harassment by the National Intelligence and Security Services in Khartoum, who required him to report to their offices on a daily basis where he would be kept for the whole day. The arrests began after he refused to continue reporting voluntarily. On 15th May, Mr. Salih was charged with failure to cooperate with the order of a public officer to report at an appointed time and place.
The Executive Director of the East and Horn of Africa
On World Press Freedom Day, the East and Horn of
Nineteen Somali human rights defenders benefitted from a capacity-building training in Mogadishu organised jointly by the Human Rights Unit of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP) and Protection International (PI) in March 2012.
Human Rights Violations in the Republic of Sudan:
A Shadow Report to Sudan’s Fourth and Fifth Periodic Report to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
April 2012
The scheduled reopening of the trial of those accused of murdering Ernest Manirumva, a Burundian human rights defender, is a positive step, said the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP) and Protection International today. The public hearing is expected to open at 9 am on Friday 30th March at the Tribunal de Grande Instance de la Mairie de Bujumbura.
UPDATE – Media Advisory The Cassation Bench of the Federal
Representatives of 50 countries and international organisations will meet tomorrow, 23rd February 2012, in London, UK for an international conference on Somalia. Participants in the London Conference must ensure that accountability and respect for human rights are central to the Somali political process, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP) said today.
The Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity, Hon. Rev.
Press Statement 10th February 2012 Sixteen human rights defenders were
The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project wrote to President of the Transitional Federal Government, H.E. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, to urge the Somali government to ensure a timely, independent and impartial investigation into the murder of Hassan Osman Abdi, the director of Shabelle Media Network, and that those responsible are held to account in a fair trial.
On 3 February 2012, the Cassation Bench of the Federal
NEWS RELEASE ADDIS ABABA – The UN Human Rights office,
Human rights defenders in Uganda were encouraged to build networks
Communiqué de presse Le 9 novembre 2011 BURUNDI : Justice
BANJUL: HRDs’ challenges continue as African Charter on Human and
Human rights defenders from across Tanzania met in Dar es
The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network
The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network
The African Democracy Forum (ADF) members from across the region
(Christian Solidarity Worldwide) Human Rights Concern Eritrea (HRCE), Christian Solidarity
Five members of the East and Horn of Africa Human
Download the Press Release Additional investigations into the murder of
Télécharger le Communiqué de Presse Il est urgent de mener
Download the Press Release The East and Horn of Africa
Download the letter As part of a wider network of
Somalia: Lack of Civilian Protection and Accountability a Key Concern
Kenya: Human Rights Investigator Deported Case Fits Trend of Silencing
ACHPR: Urge AU Member States to End Restrictions on Human
Uganda: Four Kenyan Human Rights Defenders to be Deported Four
Four prominent human rights defenders were returned to Kenya today
Two years after the assassination of Ernest Manirumva, former Vice-President
JOINT ACTION: 24th February 2011 Kampala: Attacks against journalists during
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
14th February 2011 Djibouti: Free Human Rights Activist Jean Paul
Kampala: Call for UN Fact Finding Mission to Kenya to
We, civil society organizations from across the world, strongly urge
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS PROJECT Toronto:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
A side event on human rights in Somalia – co-organized by
17th September 2010 Kampala Rights Organisations condemn arbitrary arrest of Kenyan
Update: Mr. Mureithi released from police custody; Mr. Kimathi remains
20th July 2010 Kampala – The Burundian authorities should release
“UN Rights Body Must Not Abandon Sudan” Download the Statement
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Geneva:
Geneva: Assassination of a human rights defender in the Democratic
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Banjul:
Kampala: Commit to human rights improvements at national and international
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Geneva:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Geneva:
Download the Report The East and Horn of Africa Human
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Geneva:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Geneva:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Geneva:
Lome: The West African Human Rights Defenders Network for (ROADHH
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Brussels:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
Amnesty International and EHAHRDP press conference on Sudan The Khartoum
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Geneva:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala:
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS NETWORK Kampala: