Defenders Coalition is keen to strengthen institutional capacity, foster regional solidarity, and enhance the protection of human rights defenders through peer learning and experience sharing. In regard to this, the Defenders Coalition hosted a delegation of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) from the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders (HRD) Network and Members of the South Sudan Human Rights Commission for a five-day learning and exchange visit in Kenya from 3rd to 7th August.
The delegation began its engagements with Defenders Coalition, where participants learned about the organization’s work in protecting and supporting human rights defenders in Kenya and across the region. The discussions focused on protection mechanisms, emergency response interventions, wellness and resilience programming, advocacy initiatives, and strategies for strengthening networks of human rights defenders. The session provided an opportunity for participants to exchange experiences and explore collaborative approaches to addressing the challenges faced by defenders in increasingly complex operating environments to which they relate.
During the visit, the delegation engaged with several leading human rights and governance institutions, including Katiba Institute, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa. These engagements offered practical insights into the promotion of human rights, constitutionalism, civic participation, access to justice, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
At Katiba Institute, discussions centered on constitutionalism, strategic litigation, public interest advocacy, and the role of civil society in safeguarding democratic governance. The delegation gained valuable lessons on how legal and constitutional frameworks can be utilized to promote accountability and protect civic space.
The engagement with KNCHR highlighted the critical role of national human rights institutions in monitoring, documenting, and responding to human rights violations. Participants learned about the importance of independent oversight mechanisms in promoting justice, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable groups.
At KHRC, the delegation explored community-centered approaches to human rights advocacy, movement building, and civic engagement. The session facilitated an exchange of experiences on strengthening grassroots human rights initiatives and promoting citizen participation.
The meeting with LSK focused on access to justice, legal aid, strategic litigation, and the role of legal professionals in protecting human rights defenders and advancing the rule of law. Participants reflected on the importance of strong legal institutions in safeguarding civic freedoms.
The delegation also met with ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa, where discussions examined issues related to freedom of expression, digital rights, media freedom, and access to information. This engagement highlighted emerging opportunities for advocacy and collaboration in addressing restrictions on fundamental freedoms both online and offline.
Throughout the visit, participants shared experiences from South Sudan and Kenya, reflecting on common challenges facing human rights defenders across the region, including shrinking civic space, security threats, resource constraints, and barriers to meaningful public participation. The exchanges brought out the value of regional cooperation, peer learning, and collective action in strengthening protection mechanisms and advancing human rights.
The learning visit concluded with renewed commitments to deepen partnerships, strengthen cross-border collaboration, and sustain knowledge-sharing initiatives among human rights actors in the region. By fostering connections among institutions and networks working on similar issues, the visit contributed to building a stronger and more coordinated regional movement dedicated to protecting and promoting human rights.