Latest News - DefendDefenders

Sudan: Human rights defenders detained and facing spurious criminal proceedings

12 December 2016

We, the undersigned African and international non-governmental organizations, are writing to bring to your attention in your capacities as Special Procedure mandate holders worrying developments concerning the detention and trial of ten human rights defenders in Sudan. We urge you to call on the Government of Sudan to immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against ten staff members and affiliates of the Centre for Training and Human Development (TRACKs), an organization which provides training on a range of issues from IT to human rights, in two overlapping cases that include crimes against the state. Crimes against the state charges carry the death penalty […]

Rural activists celebrated in new video on International Human Rights Defenders Day

9 December 2016

In a new video launched on the International Human Rights

Defenders Speaking Out: IGAD should address urgent South Sudan crisis

8 December 2016

Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation, speaks on the current situation in South Sudan, and shares his recommendations ahead of the December 9 meeting of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

Reflections on the 59th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

5 December 2016

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) concluded

ProtectDefenders.eu: Human Rights Defenders are not criminals

30 November 2016

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.

Egypt: Draft NGO law dismantles civil society

25 November 2016

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.

South Sudan: A Way forward for the Hybrid Court

2 November 2016

An Open Letter to H.E. Mme. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, from South Sudanese and International Non-Governmental Organisations

ACHPR59: Statement on the report of the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders

31 October 2016

Governments in the sub-region continue to restrict legitimate expressions of dissent, individually and collectively, online and offline, through repressive legislation, physical attacks, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and harassment.

ACHPR59: Statement on the report of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression

31 October 2016

Throughout the East and Horn of Africa sub-region, the fundamental right to expression continues to be undermined by attacks both on an individual and collective level. Governments have forcibly closed NGOs and media outlets, and obstructed online expression through Internet and social media shutdowns. At the same time, journalists and human rights defenders face intimidation, physical attacks, arrests and detentions as a result of their work.

Kenya: Investigate break-in into home of human rights defender

27 October 2016

The Kenya Police Service should promptly, thoroughly, and transparently investigate