The year 2024 witnessed a deteriorating political and human rights climate, with the war in Sudan, police violence in Kenya, ethnic conflict in Ethiopia and political instability in the Sahel intensifying threats against human rights defenders (HRDs). Despite the risks, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (DefendDefenders) and the Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network (AfricanDefenders) remained steadfast in providing HRDs with essential protection support, supported amplifying of their voices, and enhancing their capacity to navigate the environments.
Our protection efforts were central to our work as HRDs faced heightened threats. DefendDefenders provided a total of 643 protection grants (493 emergency grants and 150 direct assists under the Ubuntu Hub Cities Initiative). AfricanDefenders strengthened partnerships with the Elisabeth-Selbert-Initiative, the Shelter Cities Initiative, and the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Human Rights to facilitate the relocation and protection of HRDs at risk.
On the advocacy front, we remained committed to ensuring that HRDs had a voice at regional, and international levels. At the UN Human Rights Council, we advocated for the renewal of critical mandates, including the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan and the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea. Additionally, we launched the report Is the Tide Turning? which analyses African states’ voting patterns on human rights resolutions to inform and shape future advocacy strategies.
At ACHPR, we facilitated HRDs’ participation in the 79th and 81st ordinary sessions, organized side events, and engaged with civil society organisations. Our involvement in the African Electoral Justice Network underscored our commitment to promoting fair and transparent electoral processes. Additionally, we facilitated a benchmarking trip for ACHPR Commissioners to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, fostering inter-regional collaboration on human rights protection. We conducted solidarity missions to Kenya and Senegal, standing with indigenous women HRDs, grassroots defenders, and civil society leaders. We also co-hosted a global consultation with outgoing and incoming UN Special Rapporteurs on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association, addressing emerging threats to civic space and climate justice activism.
We strengthened national HRD coalitions across the East and Horn of Africa, reinforcing networks for collective advocacy and protection. Our 7th Focal Point Meeting brought together members of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network to assess civic space trends, evaluate our 2021-2025 Action Plan, and strategise for the 2026-2030 period. As part of this gathering, we also convened an inter-mechanism dialogue between HRDs, the Chairperson of the ACHPR, and the Chairperson of the UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances to enhance HRDs engagement with the special mechanisms.
To sustain HRDs’ resilience, we prioritised capacity-building, equipping them with tools to navigate an increasingly hostile environment. Over the year, we trained 990 HRDs through more than 62 workshops on physical security, digital security, wellbeing, monitoring and documentation, Kobo Toolbox, and resource mobilisation. The year concluded with the launch of our annual thematic report, Rocky Ground and Shifting Sands: Human Rights Defenders Working in the Context of Elections in East Africa, offering insights into the challenges HRDs face in electoral contexts in Burundi, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
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Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 