Memory Bandera

This morning, our management team convened for the first weekly meeting of the year to align priorities and chart the path ahead. DefendDefenders reaffirms its unwavering commitment to strengthening protection networks, advancing strategic advocacy, building the capacity of human…

This evening, we officially close our offices for the year. However, our emergency protection lines remain open, and we will continue to respond to all protection needs of human rights defenders throughout the holiday season. Please read our Executive Director @Hassan_Shire…

Today, the #16DaysOfActivism campaign comes to an end as the world commemorates Human Rights Day under the theme “Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials.” Our Director of Program and Administration, @MemoryBandera  wraps up our campaign with a powerful reminder: as we move beyond…

This evening, we join the world in commemorating International Human Rights Defenders Day. Observed annually on 9 December since 1998, it is 27 years since the adoption of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the first instrument to recognize and legitimize the work of…

Across the African continent, women human rights defenders (WHRDs) are rising, stronger, safer, and more connected than ever before. Through our flagship program; Safe Sisters Fellowship, WHRDs gain critical digital safety skills that help them confront online harassment and…

Today, on #WHRDDay, we honour Women Human Rights Defenders in all their diversity, whose courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice know no bounds. You continue to defend human dignity and stand with the marginalised, even when it puts your safety and freedom at…

Today, together with @dfcugroup, we launched #16DaysOfActivism by #OrangingTheBuilding - standing united against all forms of Gender-Based Violence. We call on everyone to speak out, take action, and #OrangeTheWorld. Together, we can #EndGBV #NoExcuse #WomenUganda2025+ 🧡

We’re excited to launch the SudanDefenders 2026-2030 Strategic Plan — a bold roadmap strengthening our mission to protect rights, amplify voices, and build a resilient future for Sudan. We are grateful to @DefendDefenders for making this milestone possible. Together, we move…

❝ El Fasher atrocities under UN spotlight, but accountability gaps remain in Sudan ❞ ▶️ Read our press release on the resolution adopted at the @UN_HRC's 38th special session today: defenddefenders.org/el-fasher-atro… 🇸🇩 🇺🇳 #Sudan #Sudan_War_Updates #Darfur #ElFasher #KeepEyesOnSudan…

In a special and heartfelt moment, our Executive Director, @Hassan_shire , was honoured for his 20 years of visionary leadership. As the organisation’s founder, he has steered the mission with unwavering commitment, resilience, and clarity of purpose, building one of the…

On 4 and 5 November 2025, we convened to commemorate two decades of protecting and promoting the work of human rights defenders (HRDs) since 2005. The two-day celebration, held in Kampala, Uganda, brought together over 200 HRDs, national, regional, and global human rights…

🇪🇺 Ambassador @JanSadek was delighted to join celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary of @DefendDefenders, one of Africa's most respected #HumanRights institutions working, with EU support in🇺🇬, to protect & promote human rights defenders in the East & Horn of Africa sub-region

❕ 🚨 REPORT LAUNCH 📖 ❗️ ❝ ‘They Won’t Silence the People’: The right to peaceful protest in Africa in 2025 — with substantive case studies on Mozambique, Senegal, Tunisia, and Uganda ❞ In this report — one of the most ambitious reports ever published on the right to…

We did not only celebrate 20 years of existence, we also took time to look ahead and envision how the work of human rights defenders can be sustained over the next two decades. As part of this forward-looking reflection, we launched the Roots of Resilience Mentorship Programme,…

In June 2025, African Defenders convened representatives from 40 countries in Maputo for a strategic deliberation, held against the backdrop of significant global shifts and evolving geopolitical dynamics. Among the central topics of discussion was securing the future of human…

Tonight’s celebrations were crowned with a special moment of honour as our Executive Director, @Hassan_shire, received the Shield Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his unwavering commitment to protecting and promoting the work of human rights defenders.…

In her closing remarks, when asked about the vision for the next 20 years, @Kaka_estella shared: “We envision a region in which the human rights of every individual as stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is respected and upheld.” She added that the…

As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, we are hosting a high-level panel discussion bringing together global human rights champions, activists, and policymakers under the theme: “Standing Strong: Reimagining Safety and Solidarity for Human Rights Defenders in Shifting…

This week is a special one for us as we mark 20 years of protecting and promoting the work of human rights defenders across Africa. As we count down to our anniversary celebrations, we reflect on two decades of resilience, solidarity, and impact. To kick off the week, our Senior…