News Archive
Page 8 of 134 (1332 articles)
Updates from March 2025
Hello Friends, March was a month of engagement and reflection on the urgent needs of human rights defenders (HRDs) across our region. As geopolitical dynamics shift and crises intensify, the threats facing HRDs have grown more complex—demanding coordinated responses and sustained solidarity.
Human Rights Defender of the month: Andrews Kananga
Andrews Kananga’s long-standing relationship with DefendDefenders began in 2009, when he met Executive Director Hassan Shire and was invited to his first strategic meeting in Kampala, Uganda. That meeting marked the start of a strong collaboration rooted in a shared commitment to advancing human rights in the region. Over the years, Andrews has participated in numerous trainings and strategic convenings organised by DefendDefenders,
Call for Applications: Safe Sisters Fellowship Programme 2025
DefendDefenders call for applications – Safe Sisters Fellowship Round 15 Call for applications for Women Human Rights Defenders from Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Somaliland to the Safe Sisters Fellowship Program Safe Sisters is a fellowship program that builds the capacity of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs), […]
Updates from February 2025
Hello Friends, In February, all eyes were on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as reports of significant turmoil dominated news sites and social media. The capture of Goma by the M23 in January and their subsequent advance south, culminating in the capture of Bukavu on 16 February, exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. Human rights defenders (HRDs) have not been spared from this violence.
Human Rights Defender of the month: Margaret Sekaggya
Margaret Sekaggya’s legacy as a champion of human rights in Uganda is deeply intertwined with the country’s journey toward justice and equality for all. In 2005, she was the Chief Guest at DefendDefenders’ inaugural conference, attending in her capacity as Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission. Over the past two decades, she has closely collaborated with DefendDefenders,…
DefendDefenders’ oral statements at HRC58
Oral statements delivered during the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council (24 February-4 April 2025) Item 2: Enhanced interactive dialogue on Eritrea (27 February 2025) Mr. President, Mr. Special Rapporteur, Stakeholders, We thank you for your updates. Last July, this Council did the right thing by extending the Special Rapporteur’s mandate. It was […]
South Sudan: Adopt a strong resolution extending UN investigations
In a letter released ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 58th regular session (HRC58, 24 February – 4 April 2025), over 100 NGOs urge states to adopt a strong resolution on the human rights situation in South Sudan. “The resolution should,” the signatories write, “extend the mandate of the existing investigative mechanism, the UN […]
Call for Proposals: External Audit of DefendDefenders
Job Title: Call for Proposals for External Audit of DefendDefenders Reports to: DefendDefenders Finance Manager Location: Kampala, Uganda REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR EXTERNAL AUDIT OF EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS PROJECT (DEFENDDEFENDERS) Client: DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project.) Deadline: Monday March 3, 2025 Time: 17:00hrs What’s needed? Technical […]
Taking Environmental Law to the People
Confronting the climate and ecological emergency in East Africa depends not only on crafting robust environmental laws and policies, but also on supporting lawyers and civil society actors who strive to monitor and uphold them. This brief focuses on a persistent problem that environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs) are undervalued and unprotected by governments and […]
Updates from January 2025
As we step into 2025, this year marks 20 years since DefendDefenders’ was established to protect human rights defenders (HRDs) in Africa. In commemoration of this significant milestone, I am prompted to reflect on the journey since 2005. I think back to the inaugural convening – “Defending the Defenders”: a Human Rights Defenders Conference in Entebbe, Uganda, in 2005, the moment it all crystallised.