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.
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 (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.
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.
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?
In a joint letter released today, a group of NGOs urge the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) to adopt a resolution on the ongoing human
Dear friends and colleagues, This month we participated in the 68th virtual ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission).
Ocen Ivan Kenneth is a Program Director at Foundation for Development and Relief Africa (FIDRA), with more than 10 years’ experience working in the human rights field. Ivan’s ambitions for change focus on building inner peace, defending human rights and empowering local communities using theatre and storytelling. He creates a space where people from the community share their personal stories of trauma and resilience as well as identify mechanisms of healing.
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