Advocacy, Research, and Communications

We give a voice to human rights defenders from the East and Horn of Africa sub-region at the regional and international level.

Advocacy

Strategic advocacy at the national, regional, and international level is an essential part of protecting human rights defenders (HRDs). By conducting strategic advocacy towards state authorities, and regional and international human rights bodies, DefendDefenders seek to strengthen the protection and promotion of HRDs in the East and Horn of Africa sub-region.

United Nations Human Rights Council

As the leading human rights mechanism globally, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC) is a vital platform to promote HRDs. DefendDefenders has a Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC status), which enables us and our members to participate in the HRC, and other UN forums.

In 2018, DefendDefenders opened a permanent office in Geneva, which has enhanced our impact at the HRC, and our coordination and cooperation with UN mechanisms and like-minded human rights organisations. 

News about our work at the Human Rights Council.


The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) is the main human rights body in Africa, and an important platform to advocate for the protection of HRDs. We hold an ACHPR observer status, and we are a member of the Steering Committee of the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the Ordinary Sessions of the ACHPR (known as the NGO Forum).

News about our work at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

It's a disconnect between the human rights work and violations experienced by human rights defenders on the ground, and the work taking place at the regional and international level. By bringing human rights defenders from the sub-region to the Human Rights Council and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights we aim to decrease this gap.

Estella Kabachwezi, Senior Advocacy and Research Officer, DefendDefenders

Research 

To raise awareness about HRDs from the East and Horn of Africa, DefendDefenders conducts in-depth research and analysis about human rights trends in the sub-region. Our report findings are used as the baseline for our advocacy work at national, regional, and international level. 

Check out our publications! 

Communications

DefendDefenders raise awareness about HRDs from the East and Horn of Africa – online and offline. 

Do you wish to get to know some HRDs from the East and Horn of Africa?

Check out our HRDs of the month!

Follow us on social media!

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Latest News

Call for Expression of Interest – human rights defenders mentorship program

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.

25 July 2025 No Comments

Updates from June 2025

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.

25 July 2025 No Comments

Annual Report 2024

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).

22 July 2025 No Comments
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