At a critical juncture for Sudan, DefendDefenders visits the country and shows solidarity with its people and civil society
From 11-16 October 2019, DefendDefenders conducted a mission to Sudan, at a critical time for the country and the human rights its people. The delegation was led by Hassan Shire (Executive Director) and included Majid Maali (Capacity Building Officer) and Nicolas Agostini (Representative to the UN). The mission aimed at showing solidarity with Sudanese human […]
Human Rights Situation in the East and Horn of Africa (April – October 2019)
In its bi-annual report to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), DefendDefenders (the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) provides a six-month overview of events affecting the rights to freedom of association, expression, and peaceful assembly in the East and Horn of Africa sub-region. DefendDefenders welcomes the opportunity offered […]
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 […]
Sudan: new UN resolution offers hope, but human rights challenges remain
At a critical juncture for Sudan, a UN resolution on the country’s human rights situation offers hope that the international community will contribute to domestic improvements. Yet, as the Sudanese people attempt to turn the page on 30 years of dictatorship and repression, significant challenges remain. The resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council (“Council”) is an encouraging signal but should push all stakeholders to be cautiously optimistic, DefendDefenders said today.
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).
Sudan: ensuring a credible response by the UN Human Rights Council
Ahead of the 42nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC42), Sudanese, regional and international civil society organisations urge the Council to address serious human rights violations and abuses in Sudan and support systemic reforms in the country.
For each disappeared, more activists stand up! Stop enforced disappearances against human rights defenders
Article posted in relation to the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on 30 August 2019. On 13 April 2015, Sandra Kodouda, a Sudanese human rights defender (HRD), was abducted in Khartoum, Sudan by a group of unidentified men. Three days later she returned home with a dislocated shoulder and clear signs of […]
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 […]
By remaining silent on Sudan, the UN Human Rights Council validates the sidelining of human rights
After failing to convene an emergency session on Sudan in the aftermath of the 3 June massacre, and failing to hold an urgent debate during its 41st ongoing regular session, the UN Human Rights Council (“Council”) is set to fail to adopt a resolution on the country. By remaining silent on Sudan, the Council validates the sidelining of human rights from the regional mediation process and overall political efforts to settle the crisis, DefendDefenders said today.