Human rights defenders are vital partners for businesses operating around the globe. Civic space and the business operating environment are fundamentally intertwined. Businesses should, can, and have ...

The role of universities in supporting Russian and Myanmar human rights defenders in exile in Germany, Czechia and Thailand

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) carried out advocacy on behalf of human rights defenders (HRDs) at the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, held from 07 S...

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) carried out advocacy on behalf of human rights defenders (HRDs) at the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, held from 07 September to 07 October 2026. The various activities aimed to secure support from UN member states for the release of detained human rights defenders and strengthen the protection of public freedoms across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). They also highlighted the need to end impunity and ensure accountability for human rights violations across the region. Resolutions GCHR followed the Arab Group’s resolution on Yemen, which focused on technical assistance and capacity-building under Item 10. This raised concerns as, following the non-renewal of the Group of Eminent Experts’ mandate in 2021, the resolution did not provide for a report by the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Yemen or a dedicated interactive dialogue. Ultimately adopted without a vote, it requested that the High Commissioner report to the Council’s 66th session on the implementation of technical assistance. GCHR also followed discussions on the resolution on the human rights of migrants, presented by Mexico under Item 3. GCHR sought to include language addressing abuses linked...

Each fall, Berkeley Law’s Human Rights Center hosts an afternoon event where student fellows give presentations about their recent fieldwork. Using compelling visuals to help amplify what are often little-known threats to human rights across the world, they share insights about their work while illuminating vital issues, conflicts, and advocacy efforts. Three Berkeley Law students — Sonali Dhawan, Kate Reeves, and Sam Klein-Markman — are among this year’s dozen fellows. Each emphasized how their summer work powerfully fueled motivation to use their growing legal skills for advancing social justice. Working with Thai Lawyers for Human Rights to end the imprisonment and harassment of dissidents, Dhawan monitored legal proceedings against political prisoners, produced trial reports for diplomats, and prepared comprehensive recommendations on Thailand’s draft legislation regarding strategic lawsuits against public participation. The organization’s co-founder, Arnon Nampa, is one of 48 known political prisoners in Thailand. Imprisoned for over three years as a result of his peaceful pro-democracy activism, his cumulative sentences extend past 31 years following additional court rulings. When Nampa co-founded Thai Lawyers for Human Rights after Thailand’s 2014 coup, the organization offered free legal assistance to hundreds of dissidents harassed by the military. “Thailand’s royal defamation law criminalizes criticism...

At the NGO Forum ahead of the 89th session of the African Commission, in October 2026, a high-level panel discussion tackled the growing issue of transnational repression in Africa. The discussion, titled ‘From Restrictive Laws to Transnational Repression: Protecting Human Rights Defenders in Africa’, was the first ever panel on the topic of transnational repression in this space. It featured Aua Baldé of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, Ralmeg Gandaho, President of Changement-Social (Bénin), and Basma Mostafa, Director of Programs at the Law and Democracy Support Foundation and herself an exiled journalist and activist directly affected by transnational repression. (Basma Mostafa was unable to attend in person due to visa issues. Her statement was read on her behalf by ISHR’s Salomé Boucif) This discussion built on our ongoing work on transnational repression: in June, ISHR convened a retreat for UN human rights experts that culminated in a landmark statement by over 130 UN Special Procedures mandate holders and Treaty Body members calling for a decisive international response to transnational repression.[https://humanrightsdefenders.blog/2026/09/28/over-130-human-rights-experts-issue-global-call-for-states-to-end-transnational-repression/] At the ACHPR’s 89th session, ISHR further called on the Commission to adopt a resolution on transnational repression and carry out a comprehensive, continent-wide study examining...

Brussels, Geneva, Paris, 16 October 2026. Fleeing persecution does not always mean reaching safety. A new report, Out of Reach, Not Out of Risk: Transnational Repression of Human Rights Defenders in East Africa, reveals how human rights defenders (HRDs) continue to face threats and intimidation after leaving their home countries to seek refuge elsewhere in the region. Published by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership between the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), together with IMLU and SOS-Torture Burundi, the report draws on interviews with 50 human rights defenders from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as consultations with 14 other stakeholders. It examines the risks faced by defenders living in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda and makes recommendations to key stakeholders on prevention, protection, accountability and remedy. Repression that crosses borders Although transnational repression has long existed in Africa, it is intensifying rapidly across the continent, reaching a new peak in East Africa, where it remains poorly documented. The research highlights the interconnected nature of the risks faced by human rights defenders in East Africa, where political...

We, the undersigned organizations, are deeply concerned by the continuing criminalization of human rights defenders (HRDs), activists, lawyers and journalists in Singapore for exercising their interna...

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has empowered 30 senior secondary students of Premiere Academy, Abuja, as human rights defenders and peace ambassadors, charging them to promote human rights, peace and civic responsibility in their school and communities. The Executive Secretary, Chief Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu, SAN, received the students at a special peace advocacy and human rights training organised by the commission on Monday He was accompanied by the Deputy Director, Human Rights Education and Promotion, Mrs. Uche Okwuobi. The training, facilitated by officers of the Human Rights Education and Promotion Unit and representatives of other departments of the commission, focused on strengthening the students’ understanding of human rights, citizen responsibilities and civic values. The students were also introduced to the mandate and activities of the NHRC and received practical knowledge on human rights, civic responsibilities, justice, equality and the need to respect the dignity and fundamental rights of every individual. An interactive question-and-answer session further deepened the students’ understanding of the commission’s role in promoting, protecting and monitoring human rights in Nigeria. During the session, the students engaged NHRC officials on issues including human rights violations, child protection, bullying, discrimination, abuse and access to justice. The Principal of Premiere...

Africa: Laurinda Manuel Gouveia (Angola) Americas: Adda Vyctoria Caetano (Brazil) Asia and the Pacific : Umar Khalid (India) Europe and Central Asia: Ljiljana (Serbia) Middle East and North Africa: Ahmadreza Haeri (Iran) “There is a powerful wave of people who believe there is a better path despite the worrying state of affairs for human rights defenders (HRDs) around the world today; a wave of those who believe in a brighter future. This year’s laureates are emblematic of this wave of positive change,” said Alan Glasgow, CEO of Front Line Defenders. “These laureates represent the defenders from every corner of the world who are courageously and peacefully standing up for justice and equality. Arbitrary detention, torture, death threats, judicial harassment, smear campaigns: these are some of the hazards of standing up for human rights and, still, these laureates have refused to stay silent.” The Annual Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk was established in 2005 to honour HRDs who make outstanding contributions to the promotion and protection of the ]uman rights of others, often at great personal risk. The Award focuses international attention on their work and struggles, giving them a greater national and international platform to...

In a statement delivered at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, Humanists International highlighted the repression faced by Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) from organized transnational anti...