On August 17, EHAHRDP launched the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network in the capital city of Juba. The creation of the Network was in response to the challenges that human rights defenders face in South Sudan. According to EHAHRDP, the mission of the new Network is “to promote collective advocacy by South Sudanese HRDs for the recognition of their rights as human rights defenders, ensure the enactment of legislation… and promote the wider recognition of individual rights and freedoms as recognized under international law.” EHAHRDP declares its support for coalitions in the areas of protection, advocacy, and capacity building. The Director of EHAHRDP, Hassan Shire Sheikh, states the organization is “committed to supporting human rights defenders to play their vital role in constructing a democratic, rights-respecting society.”

In addition, EHAHRDP held their 3rd Focal Point Meeting in Kampala, Uganda, on August 28 – August 29. The meeting brought together Network representatives from Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Somaliland, Tanzania, and Uganda. The declaration calls on national and regional authorities to lessen the restrictions on human rights defenders. In addition, it calls on authorities to promote legislation that ensures all rights of freedom.

For more information, click here: http://www.defenddefenders.org/