There are individuals who have watched – from a front-row seat vantage point – the evolution of DefendDefenders, from its inception 20 years ago to the present day. World Movement for Democracy’s former director, Ryota Jonen, is among those close and trusted allies who have stood the test of time. He recalls how a much younger DefendDefenders made a lasting impression on him at the 2009 “Jo’burg +10” event.

“It was the 10th anniversary of the All-Africa Human Rights Defenders Conference (Jo’burg +10), and DefendDefenders convened a very big meeting in Kampala, and I was part of that. It was at this event that I really came to appreciate how DefendDefenders connects the on-the-ground human rights defenders (HRDs) to the policymakers. Among the guests were human rights commissioners from Uganda, international organisations who engage in the United Nations spaces, and the grassroots HRDs. Sometimes on-the-ground HRDs do not have access to such platforms, but DefendDefenders if connection and bridged the gap between the grassroots level and those working at the ‘top level’.”

As a global solidarity movement for democracy and human rights, constantly working with HRDs, World Movement for Democracy’s partnership with DefendDefenders was inevitably a perfect match.

“Through working with DefendDefenders, we have been able to find tangible ways of providing a haven for HRDs who are at risk because of their work. The greatest highlight is the urgent access to support that DefendDefenders gives to HRDs in Africa. Sometimes people need to evacuate to a safe place right away. Sometimes they need legal support. We get messages saying, “Help, I need to get out. I need support.” In these instances, we quickly reach out to our colleagues at DefendDefenders and without hesitation, DefendDefenders always says, “Yes, let’s work together on this.” That is the sense of solidarity and commonality that we have experienced with DefendDefenders.”

“I can think of the most recent examples from Sudan. Since the ongoing conflict began, DefendDefenders has been following the developments, raising the alarm at the UN Human Rights Council and at the regional level. Because they [DefendDefenders] follow what is happening and listen to HRDs stories on the ground, they can always come in to help our partners whenever help is needed.”

Within the current context where organisations are faced with sustainability challenges, Ryota admires the way DefendDefenders has found creative and innovative ways to continue helping HRDs. He reflects on DefendDefenders’ efforts to capacitate HRDs to become economically self-sustaining, particularly those forced to relocate from their home or country into exile.

“The global challenges are so severe, and HRDs on the ground sometimes feel abandoned, due to the limited support available. So, DefendDefenders gives these HRDs hope and inspiration, and affirmation that their work matters. That is important in these times. I see DefendDefenders becoming a global inspiration that shows the world that “This is how we express our humanity.” The idea of Ubuntu Hub Cities program, for example, demonstrates how humans can be there to help other humans, welcoming them into our homes and supporting each other. That philosophy and mentality, needs to spread much more throughout the world as we see a global geopolitical shift taking place.”

“DefendDefenders is helping the world understand that the definition and concept of HRDs is not just about lawyers and professionals in civil society work. It is also about people, sometimes teachers trying to promote human rights in a classroom; sometimes businesspeople wanting to talk about human rights; sometimes street vendors defending the rights of other street vendors. DefendDefenders teach us to understand that it’s about all the individuals who are defending, promoting and working towards the full exercise of human rights by every citizen of every society in the world. And that is a very important lesson for us all.”

Ryota commends DefendDefender’s Executive Director, Mr. Hassan Shire’s leadership, commitment and emotional investment in protecting HRDs on the continent. He attributes a lot of the growth and success of DefendDefenders to Hassan’s personal experience as an HRD in Somalia and being part of the different movements on the continent. Ryota has found more than professional partnership, but also strong relationships, friendships and solidarity within DefendDefenders.

“We [World Movement for Democracy] are very grateful for DefendDefenders’ ability to provide concrete ways of showing the solidarity, not just in the East and Horn of Africa, but well beyond that, on the entire African continent. They [DefendDefenders] expanded the concept into West Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa and the North of Africa, and it is proving to be a very useful thing for so many people on the continent. DefendDefenders has become THE continental solidarity platform for HRDs. And the World Movement for Democracy had been able to work within that space and extend the solidarity, not just around human rights issues, but more broadly to democracy and governance, conflict management, youth engagement in politics, women’s rights, SOGIE rights and minority rights. It is through this 20-year evolution that we have been able to work together as partners.”

“I have even heard, through working with groups in the Middle East, Europe, Asia, even Latin America, of interactions with DefendDefenders from people all over the world. So DefendDefenders is progressively working globally, and that is a very impressive thing. I am happy that we have been part of that journey.”