News Archive
Page 54 of 134 (1332 articles)
For each disappeared, more activists stand up! Stop enforced disappearances against human rights defenders
Article posted in relation to the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances on 30 August 2019. On 13 April 2015, Sandra Kodouda, a Sudanese human rights defender (HRD), was abducted in Khartoum, Sudan by a group of unidentified men. Three days later she returned home with a dislocated shoulder and clear signs of […]
Human Rights Defender of the Month (August 2019): Alaa Satir
As an inspiring activist, illustrator, and graphic designer, Alaa Satir uses her art as a tool to promote women’s rights and justice in Sudan. “The challenges that we, women, have faced in Sudanese society have been enormous – we have been the main casualties of Omar al-Bashir’s regime,” Satir says.
Burundi: Extend CoI mandate for a further year
Ahead of the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, NGOs call on States to support a resolution extending the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Burundi for a further year, until September 2020.
Reflections on the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council
Oral statements to the Council Briefing papers and press releases Side-events at the Council Outcomes and resolutions My delegation attended the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC41), building on successful outcomes of previous sessions. We emphasise that being a member of the Council does not prevent scrutiny, and that the Council should stand […]
Kenya: DefendDefenders submits joint report to the 35th Session of the UPR Working Group
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all United Nations Member States. The process provides for the participation of all relevant stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and national human rights institutions (NHRIs). Civil society actors and NHRIs can submit information which can be […]
AfricanDefenders in the Footsteps of Madiba!
Tata Madiba! In your dream, you believed in human dignity, equality, justice, peace and fundamental freedoms: “for to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.’’ Tata Madiba! You inspire us. You empowered us and taught us to be a rose between the thorns of discrimination […]
The UN offers a way forward for human rights in Eritrea
DefendDefenders welcomes the adoption of a resolution on Eritrea today at the UN Human Rights Council (“Council”). While making clear that diplomatic progress in the Horn of Africa has not translated into domestic human rights progress in Eritrea, the Council offers a way forward for human rights reforms in the country by streamlining its approach and providing the Eritrean government with an opportunity to engage.
Human Rights Defender of the Month (July 2019): Gladys Mmari
Gladys Mmari is a driven Tanzanian human rights defender (HRD), and the founder of MAFGE (Male Advocacy For Gender Equality) – a non-governmental organisation (NGO) focused on women empowerment through educating both women and men. “So much of the work that I do is cultural conversation. We have grown up talking about these issues among women, but now, I have to work with men as well – making it more challenging,” Mmari stresses.
Updates from June 2019!
Dear friends and colleagues, A steady and proactive presence at regional and global human rights platforms is essential to enable the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs) at the national level in the East and Horn of Africa sub-region. World Press Freedom Day, commemorated in May, and the UN International Day in Support of Victims […]
By remaining silent on Sudan, the UN Human Rights Council validates the sidelining of human rights
After failing to convene an emergency session on Sudan in the aftermath of the 3 June massacre, and failing to hold an urgent debate during its 41st ongoing regular session, the UN Human Rights Council (“Council”) is set to fail to adopt a resolution on the country. By remaining silent on Sudan, the Council validates the sidelining of human rights from the regional mediation process and overall political efforts to settle the crisis, DefendDefenders said today.