DefendDefenders

“How well are you protecting the data you handle every day? Whether it's personal information, contacts, documents, or sensitive case records belonging to you or the communities you work with, data is at the heart of our work. As digital tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI) become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, understanding how to protect information and use technology responsibly has never been more important. Join us this afternoon from 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EAT for our SafeSisters Webinar on Data Privacy & Ethical Technology Use, where we will explore practical ways to protect personal and sensitive information while navigating the opportunities and challenges that come with digital technologies. How do we use technology responsibly? What information should we share with AI-powered tools? How do we balance efficiency and innovation with privacy, consent, and accountability? Together, we will unpack these questions and explore practical ways to strengthen digital safety, make informed decisions, and build trust in how we handle information online. If you have not yet registered, there is still time to join us. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regist… Protecting data is not only a security practice but is also an ethical responsibility.”

Join us on Wednesday 22 July 2026 for the second webinar in our SafeSisters programme series as we explore data privacy and ethical tech use. In this session, we will examine the importance of protecting personal and sensitive information while navigating digital spaces, as well as the ethical considerations that should guide the use of technology in human rights work. Save the date and register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regist…

In 2006, the Human Rights Council was created to fix the failures of its predecessor. Its first president tells of the clever – at times sneaky – diplomacy it took to get it off the ground and why it still struggles with the same problems. ➡️ l.genevasolutions.news/3k

📰 New submission 🚨 Ahead of #Sudan's 4th UPR review, together with SudanDefenders, we prepared a joint report outlining recommendations relating to civic space. In it, we discuss the context surrounding this #UPR review, which cannot be “business as usual.” We highlight that this review shouldn't be seen as an isolated event, but add to global efforts to address Sudan's situation. We offer recommendations that cross-reference those of other bodies & mechanisms: defenddefenders.org/dd-sd-upr-repo… 🇸🇩 #UPR54

🚨 The UPR of #SouthSudan is coming up ❗️ Read the submission we prepared with @SSHRDNetwork. In it, we discuss the political, humanitarian & human rights context and formulate key recommendations relating to #civicspace in the country. We also outline conditions to make the #UPR process a meaningful exercise that complements other mechanisms. ✍️ Full submission: defenddefenders.org/dd-sshrdn-subm… 🇸🇸 #UPR54

Join us this Wednesday, 22 July 2026, as Racheal and Rose share practical experiences and lessons on protecting personal and sensitive information, navigating the ethical use of technology, and strengthening digital safety in human rights work. The conversation will be moderated by our Communications Officer, @Rita_Kanya. Register here: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regist…

Rose Wasike is the Deputy Director of Information at the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy in Vihiga County, Kenya. She brings extensive experience in strategic communication, public information management, and promoting secure and responsible information sharing.

Vivian Oyella is a lawyer and refugee policy expert. Vivian leads Independent Diplomat’s efforts to advance meaningful refugee participation in policy processes in Uganda. Drawing on extensive experience working with UNHCR, government institutions, and humanitarian actors, she brings critical perspectives on protection, displacement, and the realities faced by artists living in exile. Are you an artist defending human rights? If you haven’t registered for the webinar yet, now is the time! 🔗 Register us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regist…

Martial Pa’nucci is a Congolese-born rapper, urban poet, and human rights activist. He is a co-founder of RAS-LE-BOL and an artist living in exile who uses hip hop and poetry as tools for resistance, civic engagement, and democratic advocacy. A Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellow, his work demonstrates the power of art to challenge repression and defend freedom of expression.

Meet the speakers for our upcoming webinar, “Enhancing Safety Measures for Artists Defending Human Rights.” Julie Trébault - Founder and Executive Director of Artists at Risk Connection (ARC). Martial Pa’nucci - Urban poet, and human rights activist. Vivian Oyella - Lawyer and Refugee policy expert. You will get to hear from 3 leading voices working at the intersection of artistic freedom, protection, and human rights as they share perspectives drawn from both lived experiences and technical expertise. This discussion will focus on identifying existing gaps, highlighting where meaningful connections can be built, and outlining practical ways to strengthen the protection of artists defending human rights, build stronger support networks, and equip artists with the tools they need to continue using their creativity to defend human rights and inspire change.

Human rights defenders(HRDs) across the continent use diverse skills and talents to advance justice, promote human rights, and champion the rights of marginalized communities. Among them is a unique group: artists who use their creativity as a tool for advocacy, resistance, and social change. While their methods may differ, the risks they face often mirror those experienced by other HRDs and, in some cases, are unique. Are you an artist using your creativity to challenge inequality, advocate for justice, or defend the rights of marginalized communities? Join us this Thursday, 16 July 2026, for a webinar on "Enhancing Safety Measures for Artists Defending Human Rights." Together, let’s explore practical ways to strengthen the protection of artists defending human rights, foster stronger support networks, and equip them with the tools they need to continue using their creativity to inspire change and defend human rights. Save the date and register via this link: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regist…

🛎️ We just wrapped up the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC62), which marked the Council's 20th anniversary. 🇺🇳 📝 Read @Hassan_Shire's Reflections on the session, what the anniversary means for us, and our priorities (including Eritrea & Sudan): defenddefenders.org/reflections-on…💡 ▶️ PDF with clickable links (one-pager/visual summary — “HRC62 Takeaways for Africa”): defenddefenders.org/wp-content/upl… ◀️ #HRCat20 #HRC62 #ElObeid #Sudan #Eritrea #HRDs

#HRC62 | Draft resolution A/HRC/62/L.23 on Technical assistance and capacity-building for #SouthSudan was ADOPTED without a vote.

UN rights council orders urgent Sudan al-Obeid inquiry reut.rs/4b83ryY reut.rs/4b83ryY

Soudan: le Conseil des droits de l'homme de l'ONU ordonne une «enquête urgente» sur la situation à El-Obeid ➡️ go.rfi.fr/l5X

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who joined our #WellbeinginAdversity campaign. Throughout the month of June, we were reminded that behind every human rights defender (HRD) is a human being, someone who carries hope, courage, exhaustion, trauma, grief, and resilience all at once. While HRDs work tirelessly to protect the rights of others, they are often quietly fighting battles of their own. Thank you for the sacrifices you make, the courage you show, and the hope you continue to inspire. May you always find the strength to keep going, the space to heal when needed, and the reminder that you deserve the same care and compassion you so freely extend to others. Although the campaign has come to an end, its message lives on. We hope the conversations it sparked continue to remind us that protecting those who defend the rights of others also means protecting their wellbeing. Together, let us continue to create spaces where human rights defenders are encouraged not only to persevere, but also to rest, heal, and thrive.

🗣️ ❝ Eritrea: UN rights council reaffirms need for scrutiny of the situation. ❞ 🇪🇷 ▶️ Our take on the extension, by the UN Human Rights Council, of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea: defenddefenders.org/eritrea-hrc-re… 🇺🇳 #HRC62 #HRCat20 @emdhrorg #Eritrea