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DefendDefenders, Front Line Defenders and ISHR are organising an in-person training to equip African defenders with the knowledge and skills to integrate the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights into their existing work at the national level in a strategic manner.
This year eleven activists completed ISHR’s flagship training, the Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme, to strengthen their advocacy skills and develop an individual roadmap to push for change in their country.
On 3 July 2026, the Human Rights Council held an urgent debate to discuss the situation in and around El Obeid, North Kordofan in the context of the ongoing conflict in the Sudan. Sudanese activist Noon Kashkoush delivered a joint statement on behalf of ISHR and other groups.
At a Human Rights Council debate with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan, ISHR delivered a joint statement with Sudanese Women’s Rights Action and the Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders in South West Asia and North Africa.
ISHR introduces a new on-line course on advocacy for environmental human rights defenders, a practical, self-paced resource for activists, community leaders, and allies to defend the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment using UN and regional mechanisms.
During its 87th session, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) heard about the human rights situation on the continent, reviewed the periodic report of the Republic of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and of the Republic of Kenya, and held different panels to advance the protection of human rights on specific themes and countries.
ISHR drew attention to the deteriorating human rights situation across multiple African countries, with particular focus on the shrinking civic space and threats to human rights defenders.
During the 87th public session of the African Commission, ISHR expressed its concerns on the restrictions and reprisals against defenders and called the ACHPR to adopt measures ensuring the protection of defenders and their safe engagement with the ACHPR activities.
During the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Sahrawi WHRD Yaguta-Fatma Moulay delivered a joint statement with ISHR and Frontline Defenders detailing the systematic repression faced by human rights defenders in the occupied territories of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
In line with article 62 of the African Charter, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights considered, at its 87th session, the State report of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (hereinafter “the SADR” or “Western Sahara”) covering the period from 2013 to 2025.
On 18 May 2026, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission) reviewed during its 87th ordinary session the 14th periodic report of the Republic of Kenya under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter) and 2nd report under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the rights of women in Africa (Maputo Protocol). The report covers the period from 2022-2025.
On 11 May 2026, the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Centre (SDKJ-ICC) unilaterally cancelled the joint side event organised by ISHR, Institute for International Cooperation and Development Studies (HEGOA) the Working Group on Human Rights in Occupied Western Sahara (WGHRWS), and FrontLine Defenders on “Ending the silence on protection of defenders in Western Sahara” scheduled during the 87th session of the ACHPR.
