Structured advocacy at national, regional, and international level is essential to ensure human rights for all. By conducted strategic advocacy towards governments, and regional and international platforms, DefendDefenders seek to strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights defenders (HRDs) in the East and Horn of Africa sub-region.
As the leading human rights mechanism, advocacy towards the United Nation Human Rights Council (UN HRC) is a vital part of our work. 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.
See news about the Human Rights Council
The African Commission of Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) is the main human rights body on the African continent, and therefore an important fora to advocate for the protection of HRDs. We hold an observer status with the ACHPR, and sit as a member of the Steering Committee of the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the Ordinary Sessions of the ACHPR (known generally as the NGO Forum).
See news about the African Commission of Human and Peoples Rights.
"There is a disconnect between the human rights work and violations experienced by HRDs on the ground, and the work taking place at regional and international level. One of the ways we decrease this gap is bring HRDs from the sub-region to the Human Rights Council and African Commission of Human and Peoples Rights.”
In order to protect, support, and raise awareness about HRDs from the East and Horn of Africa, DefendDefenders produces original research through in-depth analysis thematic and country specific human rights trends, in coordination with human rights partners at local and national level. Our report findings are further used as a baseline for advocacy at national, regional, and international level.
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DefendDefenders aims to raise the profile of our work, and the work of HRDs in the sub-region – online and offline. This includes sharing stories of HRDs from our sub-region, conducting online campaigns, and developing of promotion videos, infographics, and photos.
Do you wish to get a peak of the human rights work conducted by HRDs from the East and Horn of Africa?
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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
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
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
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