🚨 “The HRC at 20: A Lifeline for Defenders” — civil society event for the 20th anniversary of the UN Human Rights Council 🗣️ Whether you're in Geneva or online, make sure to attend this important side event moderated by our Executive Director, Hassan Shire. As the @UN_HRC turns 2⃣0⃣, human rights defenders from across the world will join us to discuss why they turn to the HRC, what difference the Coun­cil makes on the ground, and how they use its outcomes for their national- & regional-level advocacy. 🗓️ Tuesday 16 June 2026 ⏰ 13:00-14:00 CET (14:00-15:00 EAT / 11:00-12:00 GMT) 📍 Palais des Nations (@UNGeneva), Room IX, and online _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ▶️ Webex link: ungeneva-vc.webex.com/ungene… (mtg. number: 2740 461 3760 | pw: TCe9RAXNw85) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ #HRC62 #HRCat20 #HRDs #CivicSpace #StandUp4HumanRights ✊✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 🙏 Thanks to partners @CIHRS_Alerts & @Forum_Asia and all co-sponsors: @AfricaDefenders, @amnesty, @CCPR_Centre, @ciel_tweets, @CIVICUSalliance, @fidh_en, @omctorg, @FranciscansIntl, @gva4humanrights, Geneva Human Rights Hub, Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, @GulfCentre4HR, @HRHFoundation, @hrw, Human Rights Concern-Eritrea, @IBAHRI, @ICJ_org, @ISHRglobal, @MENA_Rights, @PBI_ISEC, @TLHR2014, @UPRinfo 🫱🏾‍🫲🏻

At the start of Day 3 of #ACHPR87, our Communications Officer, @Rita_Kanya , delivered DefendDefenders and AfricanDefenders' statement on the human rights situation in Africa under Item 4. In our statement, we highlighted the worsening human rights situation across the East and Horn of Africa, drawing attention to ongoing armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, shrinking civic space, and increasing restrictions on democratic participation. The statement also called for stronger action by States to ensure humanitarian access in conflict affected areas, protect civilians, strengthen democratic governance and electoral integrity, repeal restrictive laws limiting civic space, and extend the mandate of the Joint Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan to support a more comprehensive response to the ongoing crisis. Click this link to read the full statement; defenddefenders.org/defendde… #DDATACHPR87

Day 2 of #ACHPR87 got off to a strong start with a panel discussion on the work of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Joint Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan and the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan. During the session, the Banjul Joint Declaration on Sudan was formally endorsed and adopted by both the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Joint Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan and the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, calling for urgent and coordinated action to address the ongoing crisis in Sudan. The declaration calls on all parties to the conflict to fully cooperate with accountability mechanisms by granting access, facilitating engagement with victims and witnesses, and preserving evidence of violations. It also urges Sudanese stakeholders, the African Union, the United Nations, Member States, and regional and international partners to take concrete and timely steps to implement recommendations focused on: • Protecting civilians • Ensuring humanitarian access • Supporting survivors through medical, psychosocial, and legal assistance • Protecting human rights defenders and other frontline actors documenting violations • Preserving evidence and advancing accountability • Supporting an inclusive civilian-led pathway toward peace and democratic governance A central message from the discussion was clear: there can be no durable solution to Sudan’s crisis through military means alone. Both missions stressed that Sudan’s future must be shaped through an inclusive civilian-led political process that ensures the meaningful participation of women, young people, civil society, and communities from across the country. The declaration also called on the international community to intensify coordinated efforts to protect civilians, support humanitarian operations, advance accountability, and prevent further escalation. As powerfully stated in the declaration, neither impunity nor military force can secure Sudan’s future. Only a path grounded in protection, justice, accountability, and inclusive civilian governance can lay the foundation for lasting peace. #DDATACHPR87

Earlier today, the 87th Ordinary Public Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights officially opened in Banjul, setting the stage for important conversations on human rights, governance, peace, and accountability across the continent for the next 10 days. The opening session marked the beginning of a significant commemorative period for Africa’s human rights system. In her remarks, Abiola Idowu-Ojo, Executive Secretary to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, reminded participants, Commission commemorates 45 years since the adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on 27 June 1981, 40 years since its entry into force on 21 October 1986, and looks ahead to 40 years of the African Commission in November 2027. She noted that this is not simply a moment to celebrate progress, but one for reflection, renewed commitment, and repositioning. Her message was a call to reflect on what previous generations entrusted to us, what is being done with that legacy today, and what future we are building for generations to come. #DDATACHPR87 #ACHPR87OS