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In the last few weeks, dozens of lawyers, doctors, and activists have been detained, tortured, and killed around Sudan by both fighting parties, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). During this period, arbitrary arrest campaigns intensified around the country. The whereabouts of hundreds of detainees are unknown, as they remain at risk of torture, unfair trials, and execution. Lawyers in different states face unprecedented crackdowns impacting the detainees' right to legal aid.

During the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council, ISHR supported defender Ricardo Lamour from Bout du Monde to engage with the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review report on Canada. Canada must recognise people of African descent as a distinct group! Read the joint statement below.

During the Human Rights Council's debate on the High Commissioner's report detailing the horrific violations and abuses by warring parties in Sudan, ISHR supported Sudanese woman defender Tahani Abbas to engage with the HRC. Read the full joint statement and key messages below.

A celebration and commitment towards greater protection of human rights defenders

On 21 November, ISHR celebrated the vital work of human rights defenders at a conference on 'The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Seventy-Five Years On: Achievements and Current Challenges.' A slightly shortened version of our speech is reproduced below.

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights concluded its 77th Ordinary Session held in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania from 20 October to 9 November 2023. During the session, the Commission renewed its Bureau. It received solemn declarations from elected and re-elected members and launched several documents and newsletters, among others.

During the 77th Ordinary Session, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights granted observer status to nine non-governmental organisations. It rejected five applications. Four of these applications were rejected on the grounds that the organisations did not have offices in Africa.

On 19 October 2023, ISHR in collaboration with Defend Defenders and American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, launched two reports on the challenges faced by environmental human rights defenders in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Tanzania as well as the situation of women defenders seeking corporate accountability in Mozambique.

The 77th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights will be held in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, from 20 October to 9 November 2023. The session will be preceded by the NGO Forum, which will be held in Arusha from 16 to 18 October 2023.

In his final report to the Human Rights Council as Independent Expert, Victor Madrigal-Borloz emphasises that freedom of religion and belief and freedom from violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity are fully compatible under international human rights law.