News Archive
Page 11 of 134 (1332 articles)
Sudan: vital UN investigations continue
The Independent International Fact-FinÂding Mission (FFM) for Sudan will continue its work for at least a year, the UN Human Rights Council decided today. Through a reÂsolution adopted by a broader margin (23 states in favour, 12 against) than last year, when the UN’s top human rights body created the FFM (19 in favour, 16 […]
Human Rights Defender of the month: Daniel Ngendakumana
Daniel is a committed slam poet and human rights defender, using his powerful words to advocate for change in his home country, Burundi. Living in exile since 2015, Daniel has turned to poetry as a medium for raising awareness about the struggles his country faces, particularly focusing on themes like patriotism, civic values, and the preservation of Burundian culture. On 19 November 2015, Daniel faced the difficult decision to leave his home country, Burundi.
Updates from September 2024
Hello Friends, In our efforts to address the protection needs and gaps of human rights defenders (HRDs), DefendDefenders seeks to influence global policy and ensure that the rights and safety of HRDs remain a priority on the international human rights agenda. Every year, we actively engage with UN Human Rights Council (HRC) sessions to maintain […]
DefendDefenders’ oral statements at HRC57
Oral statements delivered during the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council (9 September-11 October 2023) Item 2: Enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the FFM for Sudan (10 September 2024) Mr. President, Mr. High Commissioner, Stakeholders,Dear Members of the Fact-FinÂding Mission, We thank you for your report. As expected, it details a […]
At a critical juncture for Burundi, the Special Rapporteur’s mandate remains vital
As serious human rights violations continue to be committed in Burundi in a context of widespread impunity, and as the country prepares for elections in a tense national and regional environment, dozens of NGOs call on the UN Human Rights CounÂcil to maintain its scrutiny by extending the mandate of the SpeÂcial Rapporteur. In a […]
Q&A – Why should the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) for Sudan be extended?
Q&A – Why should the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) for Sudan be extended at HRC57?  27 August 2024 – English version of the Q&A document– Questions/Réponses: document en français Nearly 80 Sudanese, African, and international NGOs have called for the extension of the manÂdate of the Independent International Fact-FinÂding Mission (FFM) for […]
Updates from August 2024
Hello Friends, Since 2007, DefendDefenders has been supporting the establishment of national coalitions of human rights defenders (HRDs) to coordinate protection, cooperation and collaboration of HRDs at national level. The first national coalition to be established then was Defenders Coalition Kenya followed by 21 others over the years. Against this background, In August 2024, efforts […]
Human Rights Defender of the month: Iman Ahmed Abdikarin
Iman Ahmed Abdikarin was born in Italy on 12 May 1997 and returned to Mogadishu, Somalia in 1999. However, the situation in Mogadishu at the time was dire due to the chaos and violence that had plagued the country since the collapse of its central government in 1991. The civil war, which began with the ousting of President Siad Barre, created a power vacuum and intense clan-based warfare. The country was divided into various fiefdoms controlled by warlords, with no effective central authority to govern.
The Safe Sisters Podcast
Welcome to the Safe Sisters podcast, where homegrown solutions are developed for ensuring the safety of women human rights defenders in digital spaces. This podcast is hosted by Baloonywa Ibrahim. Established in 2017 as a joint initiative by Internews and Defend Defenders, the Safe Sisters Fellowship aims to combat the growing epidemic of online violence […]
Human Rights Defender of the month: Peter Michael Madeleka
For four years, Peter Michael Madeleka built a career as a corporate lawyer, deeply engrossed in the intricacies of corporate legal work. Human rights law was far from his focus—until a life-altering event in 2019 changed everything. In 2019, Peter was unjustly arrested and charged with money laundering, leading to nearly two years of incarceration with his wife, Jamila Ilomo. Peter was wrongfully convicted due to a coerced plea bargain with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).