The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (DefendDefenders) has long championed the protection and empowerment of human rights defenders (HRDs). DefendDefenders and AfricanDefenders have established and supported national coalitions across the region, enabling HRDs to unite, claim their rights, and access vital support. These coalitions are uniquely positioned to reach defenders working in remote and vulnerable areas, providing capacity building and protection where it is needed most.

DefendDefenders’ work in Sudan is not just about institutions — it is about people who refused to give up on human rights, even in the most difficult times.

In July 2010, 28 Sudanese human rights defenders gathered in Entebbe, Uganda. For six days, they spoke openly about the risks they faced. One journalist recalled: “Every article I publish feels like walking a tightrope — but silence is not an option.” A women’s rights activist added: “We needed a space to stand together, because alone, our voices were too easily silenced.” Out of that meeting, the Sudanese Organizations and Human Rights Defenders (SHRD) coalition was born.

The coalition was short‑lived, undone by operational and security challenges. Yet, the determination of Sudanese defenders endured. DefendDefenders continued to provide emergency protection, digital and physical security training, and connections to regional and international mechanisms. In 2019, during Sudan’s fragile transition, DefendDefenders executive director led an assessment mission. One youth activist told us: “We are hopeful, but hope alone cannot protect us. We need solidarity, we need skills, we need each other.”

That mission, followed by a 2021 research report, mapped HRDs’ priorities and struggles, laying the foundation for renewed coalition‑building. In June 2022, another consultation in Kampala brought together 28 Sudanese HRDs. Their voices converged in the Kampala Declaration, which gave birth to the Sudan Human Rights Defenders Coalition — SudanDefenders.

Since then, SudanDefenders has grown into a vibrant community of 31 organizations and 23 individuals. Members have built strong foundations: a constitution, a strategic policy for 2026–2030, and internal governance frameworks. One founding member reflected: “For the first time, I feel we are not just reacting to crises — we are building something lasting.”

Today, SudanDefenders remains open to all Sudanese groups and individuals committed to promoting and protecting human rights through peaceful means. It is a living testament to courage, solidarity, and the belief that defenders are stronger together.