Ryota Jonen's Front-Row View of DefendDefenders
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.
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Stay informed about human rights in East and Horn of Africa
Bi-Annual Report MAY-OCTOBER 2025
DefendDefenders welcomes the opportunity offered by the 85th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to highlight the most pressing human rights issues in the East and Horn of Africa sub-region.
Sojoud Omer Ahmed Elgarrai: How his father's ordeal made him more determined
Quite early in my career, when I was working with the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Sudan, I experienced firsthand just how dangerous human rights work can be.
Suleiman Ssenyonjo: Standing up for the rights of people on the Island
In 2013, DefendDefenders invited me to the official launch of the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders – Uganda (NCHRD-U).
Tarikawit Fikadu: Being the Voice Amid Ethiopia's complex human rights terrain
I hope to see DefendDefenders expanding across the entire continent and becoming the major partner for human rights advocacy across Africa.