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ISHR has published ‘scorecards’ for States seeking election to the UN Committee on NGOs 2027-2030 to help inform voting States’ decisions in the upcoming election.

Saharawi woman human rights defender Fatima Moulay delivered a joint statement on behalf of ISHR, Front Line Defenders, and the Working group on human rights in occupied Western Sahara during the 61st session of the Human Rights Council, General Debate Item 4.

Following the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders to the Human Rights Council, ISHR commended her work, denounced human rights violations and encouraged the next mandate-holder to continue the effective work of protecting defenders worldwide in collaboration with regional mechanisms.

ISHR, in collaboration with partners, has established a network of legal professionals for the protection of human rights defenders in Africa.

In a landmark ruling against Burundi, the UN Committee against Torture has set a precedent on the protection of lawyers and human rights defenders engaging with UN mechanisms, affirming that reprisals for cooperating with the UN violate the Convention Against Torture.

Are you a human rights defender working on democratic backsliding and/or racial justice, keen to use the UN to push for change at home? If so, apply for the 2026 edition of ISHR’s flagship training, the Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP)!

On 26 November 2025, ISHR organised, in partnership with Development Dynamics, a legislative advocacy dialogue on the Nigerian Bill of Human Rights Defenders Protection.

During the 38th Human Rights Council special session on the human rights situation in and around El Fasher, in the context of the ongoing conflict in 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.

Throughout its 85th session, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) saw the periodic reviews of Egypt, Tunisia, and Botswana, a report by the fact-finding mission on Sudan, and panels on the elimination of racial discrimination, the externalisation of migration management, and the right to a healthy environment.

In line with its mandate to advocate for the protection of human rights defenders before international and regional mechanisms, ISHR presented the situation of defenders' protection on the continent.