News Archive
Page 3 of 134 (1332 articles)
JANVIER BIGIRIMANA Commendable encounters with DefendDefenders
I have known DefendDefenders for more than a decade, but I would say that the most important moment that remains engraved in my memory is in 2014 when they convened Claiming Spaces, a large event organised in Burundi where several human rights defenders (HRDs) from Burundi and the diaspora, plus state authorities were invited.
James Bidal “On how DefendDefenders provided a Broadway platform for human rights activism in South Sudan”
“Many of my colleagues also went through similar experiences, where DefendDefenders was able also to strategise their protection. Instead of being kidnapped or even detained, other colleagues were relocated to safer spaces across the continent. Some have been able to continue with their work, all thanks to DefendDefenders’ support, which is so important to the human rights fraternity.”
Armel Niyongere: “In his fight for justice, truth and human dignity”
“Despite everything, we continue to document abuses and collect victims’ testimonies, and engage with international human rights mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court and the United Nations bodies. DefendDefenders has played a key role in facilitating organisations like ours to participate in the work of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR).
A Defender’s Journey: How Deji Adeyanju Turned Activism into a Fight for Justice
Over the years, DefendDefenders has always been one of the frontline protectors and supporters of Deji’s work in Nigeria. It is also through DefendDefenders’ support that Deji has attended the African Commission for Human and People’s Rights.
Reflections on the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council
The UN’s liquidity crisis and broader funding cuts to international agencies and the non-profit sector continue to affect human rights work worldwide. It is estimated that the UN’s budget will decrease by 15% in 2026. The UN’s human rights pillar, which was already chronically under-funded compared to the other two pillars (development and peace & security), with less than 5% of the organisation’s budget, risks being disproportionately affected.
Chioma: Empowering the Next Generation Online
Chioma was part of the 2023 cohort of DefendDefenders’ Safe Sisters fellowship, the flagship programme of DefendDefenders Tech which offers digital safety and security training to women human rights (WHRDs), journalists and media workers. “Safe Sisters Fellowship was a 360-degree turnaround in my career, in my life. Everything about me turned 360 degrees after that encounter. After the fellowship, there was a chain of positive events, one after another, until today, I can proudly introduce myself as a digital security advocate.”
Somalia: international support and scrutiny should continue despite UN shift
After the UN Human Rights Council chanÂged its approach to Somalia’s human rights situation, DefendDefenders stresses that both technical support and human rights scrutiny should continue. These elements are essenÂtial to consolidate progress, address outÂstanÂding and new issues, and prevent setbacks as Somalia struggles with inseÂcurity and wideÂspread imÂpuÂnity for rights abuses. “Today’s shift does […]
Burundi: international human rights scrutiny continues
Ten years after the unresolved 2015 crisis, and with no improÂveÂment in Burundi’s huÂman rights record, the UN Human Rights Council has extenÂded the mandate of the SpeÂcial Rapporteur on the country. The resolution adopted today enÂsuÂres continued internaÂtioÂnal scrutiny of Burundi – an important step as the country has entered a long electoral peÂriod […]
Sudan: as war rages, UN extends human rights investigations
Meeting in Geneva today, the UN Human Rights Council adopÂted a new resolution on Sudan. By extending the mandate of the IndepenÂdent International Fact-FinÂding MisÂsion (FFM) for another year, it enables the FFM to continue investigating crimes committed in relaÂtion to Sudan’s conflict and idenÂtifying those responsible. “As the world looks away from the largest […]
Updates from September 2025
Hello Friends, September was a busy month for us, from advocacy to capacity building. At the start of the month, AfricanDefenders hosted its annual Ubuntu Hub Cities Coordinators Workshop in Durban, South Africa, while there, I found myself revisiting a question: Why must African human rights defenders seek safety outside the continent?