News Archive
Page 44 of 134 (1332 articles)
Sudan: new modalities for UN engagement, continued focus on human rights
DefendDefenders welcomes the adoption of a UN Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution on Sudan, which is a further step in the right direction. As Sudan’s Transitional Government attempts to consolidate the progress achieved and prevent setbacks, it is critical for the UN to keep a focus on the country’s human rights situation and ensure that […]
Burundi: after new UN resolution, the government should resume cooperation
In the absence of concrete progress on Burundi’s human rights situation, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) has extended the mandate of its Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on the country, a step DefendDefenders welcomes as the most sensible way forward for the protection of human rights. The Burundian government should realise that non-cooperation is a […]
Updates from September 2020
Dear friends and colleagues, Electoral periods are often challenging times for human rights defenders (HRDs), particularly those monitoring elections and those promoting good governance. Cases of electoral violence, harassment and intimidation of opposition leaders and their supporters, plus violent disruption of protests continue to be witnessed and reported. A few of DefendDefenders’ mandate countries are […]
In memory of Professor Mesfin Woldemariam
On behalf of DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) and AfricanDefenders (Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network), I express my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and human rights fraternity of the late Professor Mesfin Woldemariam, who passed away on 30 September 2020. Professor Woldemariam was a renowned human rights defender, […]
Human Rights Defender of the Month: Onesmo Olengurumwa
Protecting human rights is Onesmo Olengurumwa’s passion. When his secondary school lacked access to water and was threatened with closure, Onesmo successfully rallied his fellow students together and protested for their right to education. While at university, he was the human rights association’s president. Becoming a human rights defender was not really a conscious choice, but just the natural course of Onesmo’s life.
DefendDefenders’ oral statements at HRC45
Oral statements delivered by DefendDefenders at the 45th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC45, 14 September-7 October 2020) Item 10: Enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the Independent Expert on the Sudan (2 October 2020) Madam President, DefendDefenders thanks the Independent Expert for his work over the last six years. We welcome […]
The Human Rights Council should support human rights reforms in Sudan
Ahead of the 45th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC45, which is set to take place from 14 September to 6 October 2020), and at a critical juncture for Sudan, DefendDefenders and civil society partners highlight progress and ongoing challenges in the country, and call on the Council to contribute to human rights […]
Updates from August 2020
Dear friends and colleagues, On 12 August, we celebrated International Youth Day. Despite the fact that the majority of our continent is younger than 35, young people rarely get a seat at the table. There is a democratic deficit in youth representation, but that does not stop young people from taking matters into their own […]
Human Rights Defender of the Month: Malab Alneel
Malab Alneel was only 20 when Sudan’s revolution started in December 2018, but she knew it was the moment to get involved: “I grew up in a house that was very political. All of my sisters are activists, my parents are very involved. Activism has always been there. But for me it started with the revolution. It just felt like a time for change.”
Tanzania: Respect the right to freedom of association
We, the undersigned organisations and individuals are concerned about the restrictive operating environment for human rights defenders (HRDs) in the United Republic of Tanzania, particularly, the government’s decision to freeze the accounts of Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC). The United Republic of Tanzania ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and is […]