Ryota Jonen's Front-Row View of DefendDefenders
There are individuals who have watched – from a front-row seat vantage point – the evolution of DefendDefenders, from its inception 20 years ago to the present day. World Movement for Democracy's former director, Ryota Jonen, is among those close and trusted allies who have stood the test of time. He recalls how a much younger DefendDefenders made a lasting impression on him at the 2009 Jo'burg +10 event.
It was the 10th anniversary of the All-Africa Human Rights Defenders Conference (Jo'burg +10), and DefendDefenders convened a very big meeting in Kampala, and I was part of that. It was at this event that I really came to appreciate how DefendDefenders connects the on-the-ground human rights defenders (HRDs) to the policymakers.
Partnership for Protection
As a global solidarity movement for democracy and human rights, constantly working with HRDs, World Movement for Democracy's partnership with DefendDefenders was inevitably a perfect match.
Through working with DefendDefenders, we have been able to find tangible ways of providing a haven for HRDs who are at risk because of their work. The greatest highlight is the urgent access to support that DefendDefenders gives to HRDs in Africa.
Crisis Response
I can think of the most recent examples from Sudan. Since the ongoing conflict began, DefendDefenders has been following the developments, raising the alarm at the UN Human Rights Council and at the regional level.
Share this article
Related News
Discover more stories and updates
Bi-Annual Report MAY-OCTOBER 2025
DefendDefenders welcomes the opportunity offered by the 85th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights to highlight the most pressing human rights issues in the East and Horn of Africa sub-region.
Sojoud Omer Ahmed Elgarrai: How his father's ordeal made him more determined
Quite early in my career, when I was working with the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Sudan, I experienced firsthand just how dangerous human rights work can be.
Suleiman Ssenyonjo: Standing up for the rights of people on the Island
In 2013, DefendDefenders invited me to the official launch of the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders – Uganda (NCHRD-U).