Ntanzi Rosa'Bella

JARS of CLAY, Objects of GLORY🖤

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

Yesterday, on the margins of #ACHPR89, our conversation on Emerging Technologies and Human Rights in Africa brought together more than 50 human rights defenders, civil society representatives and digital rights experts.

Participants shared experiences of how emerging technologies are shaping their work and affecting people’s ability to exercise and enjoy their rights.

The discussion also explored data protection, accountability and States’ responsibilities as public services and systems become increasingly digitised, alongside the human rights implications of AI, surveillance and other emerging technologies.

It concluded with recommendations to bolster the African Commission’s response through stronger monitoring of digital rights violations, accountability and guidance, and closer engagement with States and civil society, helping ensure that existing digital rights commitments translate into meaningful protection.

#DDATACHPR89 #ADATACHPR89

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

On Saturday, the NGO Forum preceding the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR89) came to a close, bringing three days of dialogue, learning, advocacy, and collective action to an end.

The Forum brought together more than 350 participants from across the globe. Human rights defenders, civil society organisations, legal experts, and other stakeholders convened to reflect on pressing human rights concerns, exchange experiences, and develop collective recommendations for engagement with the African Commission.

Held under the theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” the Forum highlighted the importance of access to water and safe sanitation as fundamental human rights. It also created space for discussions on the broader challenges affecting human rights, democracy, and civic space across the continent.

Listen to Faith and @AdamuUsmanGarko , two mentees under our Roots of Resilience Mentorship Program, as they share their experiences from Day 2 of the Forum and reflect on the conversations that stood out for them.

Maria Kaddu, @CharmAfric Coordinator, also reflects on how the consortium’s engagement in the Forum supports its mission to strengthen the resilience and effectiveness of journalists, human rights defenders and their organisations, helping to foster more democratic societies.

The Forum’s final day featured presentations from special interest groups and the submission of recommendations to the Commission. The day's deliberations culminated in the adoption of nine thematic resolutions, including those addressing the protection of human rights defenders, transnational repression, enforced disappearances, and freedom of religion or belief, as well as three country specific resolutions on Somalia, Guinea Bissau, and Madagascar.

Later today at the opening of the 89th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR, these resolutions will be presented to the Commission for consideration. The Commission retains the mandate and authority to determine whether and how the resolutions will be advanced within its own processes.

As our delegation participates in ACHPR89, our advocacy continues, ensuring that the priorities and concerns raised during the Forum remain firmly on the continental human rights agenda.

#DDatACHPR89 #ADatACHPR89

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

DefendDefenders and AfricanDefenders are in Dakar, Senegal, participating in the NGO Forum preceding the 89th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), taking place from 8–10 October 2026.

As part of our delegation, we are joined by five mentees from our Roots of Resilience Mentorship Programme from Libya, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, bringing their perspectives, experiences, and commitment to advancing human rights across Africa.

Listen as our mentees share their reflections on Day 1 of the NGO Forum, where human rights defenders, civil society actors, and other stakeholders gathered to discuss the state of human rights and democracy across the continent.

The first panel discussion of the day provided an overview and update on the situation of human rights and democracy in Africa through sub-regional focal point reports. Our Senior Programme Officer, Walda Shaka, presented an overview of the human rights context in East and the Horn of Africa, highlighting key developments and challenges affecting the region.

The day's panels explored a range of critical human rights issues, including water justice and democratic inclusion for communities discriminated against on the basis of work and descent; an Afro-feminist perspective on shrinking civic space and protecting freedom of expression, association, and assembly; the implications of conflicts and unconstitutional changes of government for peace, security, and governance; and the promotion of economic, social, and cultural rights in the context of armed conflict.

Over the three days, the forum's discussions will be guided by this year's African Union theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” highlighting the importance of equitable access to water and sanitation in advancing human rights and inclusive development.

#DDatACHPR89
#ADatACHPR89
#RootsOfResilience

[Nafasi Africa @Nafasi_Africa]

𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐮𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞.

As @Nafasi_Africa, we're working to close that gap and Rosabella shares why this work matters now more than ever:

“𝐴𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑠 𝑒𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑛 𝑢𝑛𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐸𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝐴𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎, @Nafasi_Africa 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑎 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑒 𝑏𝑦 𝑠𝑡���𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑎𝑓𝑒, 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠-𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑑𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑠."

Civic actors across the region are navigating a digital landscape that is shifting faster than the protections meant to guard it. We exists to change that, building resilience today, and readiness for what's next.

#DigitalRights #KeepTheSpaceOpen

[NBS Television @Fireliglntfi]

The secret behind the growth of our ministry is not just about the numbers, but the impact of the message (word of God).

Miriam Kabiito, @Phanerookampala.

#NBSBreakFastMeeting
#PhanerooAt12 #NBSUpdates

[NTV UGANDA @ntvuganda]

JUST IN!

[CHARM Africa @CharmAfric]

An equitable Africa is one in which people can access information, opportunity and a meaningful voice in their communities.

This #MandelaDay2026, CHARM celebrates those who inform, protect, connect and serve, and invites everyone to take one constructive action.

#ItIsInOurHands

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

✍️ Read @Hassan_Shire's “Reflections” on the 6⃣1⃣st session of the UN Human Rights Council 🇺🇳

Despite political polarisation & a deepening UN financial crisis, the @UN_HRC delivered meaningful outcomes, including on #SouthSudan 🇸🇸. For DefendDefenders, #HRC61 was also an opportunity for high-level engagements, to keep a spotlight on crises (including in #Sudan 🇸🇩 & #Ethiopia 🇪🇹), and to advocate for civic space & independent mechanisms set up by the Council.

▶️ Full Reflections: https://t.co/lYue8rPMtz

▶️ One-pager (visual summary — PDF with clickable links): ❝HRC61 outcomes for Africa��: https://t.co/oizBFH4Y0s

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has created new opportunities for protection and empowerment, while also introducing emerging risks, including surveillance, misinformation, and online harm. Join us for an insightful conversation with our Safe Sisters Alumni, where, through shared experiences, the discussion will offer practical insights on how to safely navigate digital spaces and use AI responsibly in advocacy and community work.

Our SafeSisters program supports women human rights defenders (WHRDs), journalists, media professionals, civil society actors, and activists to build the skills and confidence needed to stay safe, both online and offline.
Hear directly from WHRDs who have completed the Safe Sisters Fellowship as they share their experiences, lessons, and practical strategies for navigating digital security challenges.

Be part of the conversation.

#DigitalSecurity

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

As we conclude this year’s #SheDefends campaign, we celebrate the powerful voices of women human rights defenders(WHRDs) across Africa. For seven years now, March has been dedicated to recognising and amplifying their vital contributions in advancing rights, justice, and equality.

While progress has been made, WHRDs continue to face significant legal and social barriers. Throughout this campaign, we took time to highlight how WHRDs can leverage regional and international mechanisms to advance justice, strengthen protection, and hold duty bearers accountable. Despite these frameworks, implementation gaps persist, and WHRDs remain at heightened risk.

Yet, their resilience and impact continue to drive change; defending communities, advancing justice, and pushing for these protections to be realised in practice. From all of us at DefendDefenders: we see you, we celebrate you, and we stand with you. Your courage inspires, and we are rooting for you throughout the year.

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

As we wrap up our #SheDefends campaign, we hosted @PrimahKwagala, Executive Director of the Women’s Pro Bono Initiative, on our first episode of Conversations with Defenders this year, The Case That Changed Me.
Primah reflects on three cases that have shaped her journey as a human rights lawyer.

Unable to choose just one, she shares the cases that profoundly changed her, and how they influenced her approach to justice, her sense of purpose, and her decision to venture into academia. One deeply personal case involved a Ugandan girl trafficked to the Middle East as a domestic worker.
Following a desperate plea from the girl’s mother, Primah and her team stepped in to support the family through a painful search for answers and closure.
Although the legal outcome was not what they had hoped for, the young woman was eventually brought home and laid to rest, offering some measure of peace to her family.

Through this and similar cases, Primah contemplates on her contribution to broader conversations on labour migration and the protection of domestic workers, as well as her work supporting the repatriation of Ugandan women trafficked abroad and standing with families navigating loss, exploitation, and injustice.

Watch the latest episode of Conversations with Defenders to hear more about the cases that shaped Primah Kwagala’s journey as a woman human rights defender using this link; https://t.co/xHbTv5hW66

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

Today, we kick off our annual month long #SheDefends campaign, which aims to amplify the voices of women human rights defenders (WHRDs) across Africa. This year, we will place particular emphasis on existing regional and international legal frameworks that recognise and protect women’s rights, affirm the legitimacy of WHRDs, and guarantee protection for those who defend the rights of others. While these frameworks provide important safeguards, WHRDs continue to face disproportionate risks, including threats, harassment, reprisals, and structural exclusion.
Throughout the month of March, we will seek to examine where the gap between paper and practice lies and how commitments can translate into meaningful protection.

Be part of the conversation using #SheDefends.

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

When speaking about challenges and priorities, Estella noted that while shifts have always existed over the years, these have intensified as donors increasingly focus inwardly on their own security and priorities.

She further highlighted the need for human rights defenders and civil society organisations to strengthen resource mobilisation at the national level, emphasising sustainability as a cross-cutting concern, not only for DefendDefenders but across the broader civil society sector.

#20YearsDefending

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

We are live on @ntvuganda - #MorningAtNTV

Our Advocacy, Research, and Communications Manager, @Kaka_estella , is discussing “20 Years of Defending Human Rights Defenders on the African Continent.” She’s sharing insights into our advocacy efforts, achievements, and vision for the future.

When asked about DefendDefenders’ work, Estella explained that our protection work encompasses both emergency and preventive measures, tailored to the unique situations of each human rights defender.

She also highlighted that advocacy and capacity building are key pillars of our approach, ensuring that defenders are not only protected but also empowered to influence policies, amplify their voices, and continue their vital work safely and effectively.

#20YearsDefending

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

Tabitha Netuwa (@Tabithador) our Senior Manager for Protection and Security, joined @933kfm to discuss “20 Years of Defending Human Rights Defenders on the African Continent.”

In her remarks, Tabitha defined a Human Rights Defender (HRD) as “anyone who, individually or in association with others, works to protect and promote human rights, the entitlements every person has by virtue of being human, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” She emphasized that “the work you do in defense of human rights makes you an HRD.”

She reflected on the inception of DefendDefenders, founded by @Hassan_shire, himself a former exile who was targeted for his human rights work. His experience inspired the creation of a safe space for others facing similar threats.

Today, through initiatives such as the Ubuntu Hub Cities across eight African countries, we provide temporary relocation and support to HRDs at risk. Our work also includes helping defenders mitigate and overcome risks, building their capacity through risk management and protection trainings, and advocating for their rights at regional and international platforms such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (@achpr_cadhp ) and the United Nations Human Rights Council (@UN_HRC ).

#20YearsDefending

[AfricanDefenders @AfricaDefenders]

Today, in a strategic collaboration aimed at reinforcing the protection of human rights defenders, Mr. Hassan Shire, Chairperson of AfricanDefenders, handed over essential equipment to the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) to strengthen its operational capacity. This initiative exemplifies AfricanDefenders’ commitment to the principles outlined in both the Marrakech Declaration (2018) and the Accra Declaration (2022), emphasising their ongoing efforts to enhance the capacity of national institutions in safeguarding civic space in Africa.
Ms. Mariam Wangadya, Chairperson of the UHRC, expressed her appreciation for this support, framing it as a “transfer of confidence and belief” in the Commission's mission to safeguard human rights.
Mr. Hassan Shire reiterated AfricanDefenders' solidarity with the UHRC, underscoring their mutual dedication to ensuring the safety and resilience of human rights defenders operating within Uganda.

[Ntanzi Rosa'Bella @Runella]

@Rita_Kanya @qataharraymond God has done it. Congratulations are surely in order

[Ntanzi Rosa'Bella @Runella]

@Rita_Kanya @AbiazRwamwiri @BridgetBagonza @qataharraymond 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

To all women; your courage, resilience, and unwavering fight for justice inspire us every day.
This #IWD2025 , we call on everyone to #AccelerateAction: break barriers, challenge inequalities, and create safer spaces for Women.
We are #Celebratinghercourage

Happy #WomensDay2025

#SheDefends
#20yearsdefending

@Hassan_shire @MemoryBandera @Kaka_estella @WHRDNU @AfricaDefenders @janajwang @toinyamutenya @sojoudE @whrdinitiative @cwhrdstz @WCOZIMBABWE @Tabitha @bikjo @Rita_Kanya

[DefendDefenders @DefendDefenders]

Powerful Voices. Unyielding Courage and change.

Join us tomorrow as we commemorate International Women’s Day with an XSPACE conversation featuring remarkable women human rights defenders from Uganda, Sudan, and Namibia, sharing their experiences of courage, resilience, and the impact of their work.

Save the date & spread the word!

Be Part: ⏯️https://t.co/qOr5qadASv

#SheDefends #CelebratingHerCourage #20yearsDefending

@janajwang @AfricaDefenders @MemoryBandera @toinyamutenya @Hassan_shire @sojoudE