News Archive
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Human Rights Defender of the month: Esther Tawiah
Esther Tawiah is a Ghanaian woman human rights defender (WHRD) and passionate advocate for gender equality, governance, and women’s political participation. Over the years, she has dedicated her work to amplifying women’s voices, strengthening democratic accountability, and ensuring that women take their rightful place in leadership across Africa.
DefendDefenders welcomes new members to the team
We are thrilled to welcome three new members to our team: Ainobusingye Praise, Daniel Martin Ikosiot, and Floor Veldman. Joining us as fellows, each one brings a unique experience and talent that will support us in enhancing our mandate to protect and promote the work of human rights defenders.
Alex Neve’s Reflections: The Journey of Hassan Shire and the Birth of DefendDefenders
As Hassan’s vision started to take hold, he reached out to several people and organisations, sharing the idea of establishing an HRDs’ network in the East and Horn of Africa. He mobilised financial and institutional support from those who understood and agreed that this was something essential; something that could make a difference.
DefendDefenders’ oral statements at HRC60
Oral statements delivered during the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (8 September-8 October 2025) Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the report of the FFM for Sudan (9 September 2025) Mr. President, dear Members of the FFM, It is difficult to describe Sudan’s tragedy with words. Two and a half years after the […]
Updates from August 2025
The 60th UN Human Rights Council (HRC) session will convene from 8 September to 8 October 2025 to deliberate on the global human rights context. Among the situations under consideration is the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Now in its third year, the conflict is one of the most devastating on the continent, resulting in the displacement of over 13 million people and more than 150,000 civilian deaths.
Human Rights Defender of the month: Musa Gassama
“When you plant a seed, you have the faith that it will grow. I left, but I had the faith that this network would grow, and its growth has exceeded my expectations.”
Burundi: As risk factors multiply, extend the Special Rapporteur’s mandate
In a joint letter released today, 40+ Burundian, African, and international NGOs call on the UN Human Rights Council to extend the vital mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Burundi. “As serious human rights violations and abuses continue to be committed in Burundi in a context of widespread impunity, and as the country has entered […]
Marie Louise Baricako’s Journey of Resilience and Advocacy
Since 2019, DefendDefenders has been partnering with Mouvement Inamahoro. Marie Louise acknowledges how the partnership connects them to a larger network of HRDs and civil society organisations from the region, helping to amplify the Burundian HRDs’ advocacy efforts.
Amir Suliman: Standing Tall for Human Rights Against All Odds
“So, it is a successful partnership. And what I like about DefendDefenders is their way of working with others, they are friendly. You never feel that they are ‘just doing their job’. There is this humanity, not just with a few that I can pick out, but with all the staff. Whenever we reach out to them, whenever they have the resources, they never stop supporting us. I think many people appreciate that. DefendDefenders helps them to start a new life, they can stand on their legs again and continue working in the field of human rights.”
Finding Her Voice: Memory Tapela Banda’s fight for disability rights in Zambia
“I get the ‘side-eye’ a lot; eyebrows are raised. People wonder if I am doing this work for selfish gain. They want to know the story behind the decision I made to follow this path.”