Interactive Dialogue between Protection Stakeholders and HRDs in Exile in Uganda
1. On 12 September 2019, DefendDefenders (the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project), in collaboration with AfricanDefenders (the Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network), convened the second interactive dialogue between protection service providers (PSPs) and human rights defenders (HRDs) in exile in Uganda. Following the first interactive dialogue held in December 2016, […]
DefendDefenders’ oral statements at HRC42
Oral statements delivered by DefendDefenders at the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC42, 9-27 September 2019).
ACHPR64: Human rights situation in Africa
64th Ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Item 3: Human Rights Situation in Africa Madame Chairperson, distinguished Commissioners, State Delegates, representatives of National Human Rights Institutions, and Non-Governmental Organisations: The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (DefendDefenders) and African Defenders welcome the opportunity offered by the 64th […]
Joint Letter from Nongovernmental Groups: Human Rights Council Should Create Independent Fact-Finding Group for Sudan
Dear Excellencies, We, the undersigned Sudanese, African and international organisations and individuals, write to you ahead of the 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council (“the Council”), which will take place from 25 February-22 March 2019, to express our concerns and urge you to address the Sudanese government’s crackdown on peaceful demonstrators and ongoing […]
Zimbabwe: End crackdown on freedom of assembly and expression, and harassment of human rights defenders
The Pan-Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (PAHRDN) and the undersigned organisations condemn the excessive use of lethal force by Zimbabwean security forces in a bid to disperse peaceful protestors. PAHRDN is concerned with the harassment and allegations of torture of human rights defenders (HRDs), their family members, and legitimate political opponents following the January 2019 […]
Briefing Paper: HRC40 – Environmental HRDs need recognition, space, and protection
As the UN’s main human rights body, the Human Rights Council, is due to meet and discuss a resolution on environmental human rights defenders (HRDs) next month, DefendDefenders outlines what we expect from the Council and suggests a number of elements that should be part of the resolution. The briefing paper we publish today builds […]
ACHPR: Reflections on the 63rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights
[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text] This year, as we commemorate 70 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and 20 years of the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms; we take […]
Joint civil society letter: Ethiopia – Address restrictions in draft CSO Proclamation and protect freedom of association
29 November 2018 – Today, DefendDefenders, with 11 other civil society organisations, released a joint letter to address restrictions in draft CSO Proclamation and protect freedom of association, urging the Government of Ethiopia to ensure that the draft Charities and Societies (CSO) Proclamation complies with regional and international human rights norms and standards relating to freedom of […]
Civil society organisations call for Germain Rukuki’s acquittal in Burundi
Kampala, 28 November, 2018 – Yesterday, the appeal hearing of human rights defender Germain Rukuki took place in Ngozi before the Bujumbura Court of Appeal, with no security incidents reported. The Court took the case under advisement and the decision is expected to be announced within the next 30 days. Mr. Rukuki was arrested by […]
ACHPR63: Human rights situation in Africa
Statement to the 63rd session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights – Item 3.