This week is a special one for us as we mark 20 years of protecting and promoting the work of human rights defenders across Africa. As we count down to our anniversary celebrations, we reflect on two decades of resilience, solidarity, and impact. To kick off the week, our Senior

Nothing like withdrawal from a human rights convention but still respecting it: implementation without standards, obligations, monitoring, accountability isn't credible. Latvia’s move to quit #IstanbulConvention marks a major faultline for women’s rights, the rule of law⚖️⚡️♀︎

“It's Time for Peace” 🇮🇱🕊️🇵🇸

Feminist foreign policies are under siege⚡️ Argentina, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden turned back. Anti-gender groups better funded ($1.2 billion in 5 years). Advocates refuse to retreat💪 🔗 Maria Luisa Gambale on keeping feminism in foreign policy passblue.com/2025/11/05/fem…

Fear has switched sides in Serbia🇷🇸⚡️ After a year of student and civic revolt, the Helsinki Committee lays bare a society at breaking point—corruption, repression, and propaganda met with defiance from a new generation. 🔗 helsinki.org.rs/doc/Report2025…

#COP30 just opened. Good moment to stay in touch with SR human rights & climate change, Elisa Morgera 🌻⤵️

A faultline⚡️ A war criminal welcomed at the highest level yesterday: Sergei Shoigu leading a visit to Egypt🇷🇺🇪🇬 Just days after the EU-Egypt summit, where human rights were set aside, Egypt welcomed Shoigu to Cairo. Silence bought the EU no leverage🇪🇺🇪🇬

Azerbaijan has handed over the UN Climate Conference presidency to Brazil🌍 #COP30 Since #COP29 in Baku: 🚨Founders of the Climate of Justice Initiative have been jailed ⚖️Nazim Baydamirli was sentenced to 8 years in prison 📚Repression of media, civil society, scholars deepened

#COP30 begun in Brazil’s Amazon 🌳 10 years after Paris, emitters have not filed new plans, finance pledges are hollow, “just transition” is still an empty slogan, rainforest protection remains uncertain. Power, money colide with climate justice 🌍⚡️ 🔗 theconversation.com/five-key-issue…

After #COP27🇪🇬, #COP28🇦🇪 and #COP29🇦🇿, another autocratic host may be next: Türkiye could take #COP31 as Australia’s bid falters. No future for climate talks without civic space. When the UN lets repression host, climate justice pays the price 🌍⚡️ 🔗 bbc.com/news/articles/…

The EU’s new plan to protect democracy targets foreign influence and misinformation. It risks weakening civil society. By copying “foreign agent” laws, 🇪🇺 states could harm those defending democracy, the EU’s real shield 🛡️⚡️ Read more in European Policy Centre 🔗 epc.eu/publication/de…

Ethiopia’s media climate keeps deteriorating ahead of the June 2026 election: journalists are detained and foreign outlets pushed out. Now, authorities claim DW Deutsche Welle “lack reliable sources” to justify blocking reporting 😳 We will be watching developments closely 🇪🇹⚡️

The offensive against ecological policies is not just a simple transitional setback. It is part of a long history, that of economic and political interest groups whose violence doubles as the urgency to act increases 🌻⚡️ Analysis in Le Monde lemonde.fr/idees/article/…

A new “Community of Central Asia” is taking shape 🇰🇿🇰🇬🇹🇯🇹🇲🇺🇿 With no binding standards, no space for accountability. Azerbaijan joining shows what this model rewards: human rights and rule of law are optional 🇦🇿⚡ Council of Europe's recent charm tour in the region proves useless.

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