Sudan: Extend the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission for two more years
14 August 2025
Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session (HRC60,
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.
“It’s tough to be a woman human rights defender,” she says. “Even within the movement, there are biases. Women who dare to speak boldly are often dismissed unless they are brave and determined.”
Hello Friends, In June, the African continent saw a surge in human rights violations, highlighting the growing risks faced by those speaking truth to power. In Kenya, peaceful protests were met with deadly force, mass arrests, and media blackouts. In Ethiopia, journalist Tesfalem Waldyes remained in detention despite a court order for his release, amid official attacks on media independence.
The year 2024 witnessed a deteriorating political and human rights climate, with the war in Sudan, police violence in Kenya, ethnic conflict in Ethiopia and political instability in the Sahel intensifying threats against human rights defenders (HRDs).
Job Title: Request for proposals/bids for Conducting Endline Evaluation of DefendDefenders’
1.1 The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (DefendDefenders) is a regional civil society organisation (CSO) registered and based in Uganda.
The DefendDefenders, requests for proposals/bids for consultancy for conducting an external Mid-Term Evaluation of the CHARM Programme (2023–2025).
“I have been working as a doctor and a human rights defender (HRD) for over 10 years. During this time, I have witnessed the many violations that doctors and health workers, in particular, are subjected to in my native Sudan.