What happens to democracy when civic space shrinks? SSHRDN launched its Knowledge Product reviewing civic space in South Sudan’s election year, examining laws & policies affecting HRDs, and journalists.Protecting civic space is vital for credible, inclusive & peaceful elections
thenigerianvoice.com/news/37…
Ahead of #InternationalDayOfDemocracy, @sshrdNetwork demands urgent action to protect fundamental freedoms, media freedom, access to information & civic space and ensure women, youth, persons with disabilities can meaningfully shape South Sudan’s future.
James Bidal retweeted
📢 UPR 5th cycle: DefendDefenders launches a paper to suggest improvements & feed discussions 🚨
In “A stronger UPR for the 5th cycle: Practical reforms for greater impact,” we suggest ways to improve the Universal Periodic Review by outlining guiding principles for any reform and formulating recommendations on possible adjustments. The ultimate aim is to increase the UPR’s impact at the national level.
🗒️ Read/download the paper here: defenddefenders.org/upr-5th-… 🇺🇳 #UPR #UPR53 #UPR54 #HRC63
James Bidal retweeted
Last week, the Defenders Coalition, together with the South Sudan Human Rights Defenders(HRDs) Network @sshrdNetwork and South Sudan National Human Rights Commission, held a learning and exchange visit with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights @HakiKNCHR , Katiba Institute @katibainstitute , Kenya Human Rights Commission @thekhrc , The Law Society of Kenya @LawSocietyofKe and ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa @article19org
The visit provided an important platform for sharing experiences, learning from best practices and strengthening regional cooperation in the protection and promotion of human rights.
The engagement highlighted the importance of deepening regional collaboration and building sustainable networks for knowledge sharing and support among human rights defenders.
James Bidal retweeted
🚨 The UPR of #SouthSudan is coming up ❗️
Read the submission we prepared with @SSHRDNetwork. In it, we discuss the political, humanitarian & human rights context and formulate key recommendations relating to #civicspace in the country. We also outline conditions to make the #UPR process a meaningful exercise that complements other mechanisms.
✍️ Full submission: defenddefenders.org/dd-sshrd… 🇸🇸 #UPR54
James Bidal retweeted
𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐍𝐎𝐖
The 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 is underway under the theme: "𝑩𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆: 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑹𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔-𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒚 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔."
The dialogue has convened stakeholders from across East and the Horn of Africa, including representatives from the private sector, human rights institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, government agencies, and regional bodies.
The forum seeks to assess progress and catalyse action in the adoption and implementation of Business and Human Rights frameworks at both national and regional levels, with a strong focus on measurable commitments aligned with the three pillars of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Protect, Respect, and Remedy.
The dialogue is made possible through the collaboration of @DCA_Kenya and @noedhjaelp, @UNDPKenya , @NANHRI40 , @GlobalcompactKE , @unhrcpr , @pamoja_trust , Danish Industry, @CEPCJ_ , the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability, @ACTAlliance , WitnessRadio, and @RRightsAfrica
#BusinessAndHumanRights #ResponsibleBusiness #HumanRights #SupplyChains #EastAfrica #UNGPs
On this International Labour Day, we salute the courage and resilience of HRDs across South Sudan who stand firm in protecting the dignity, rights, and freedoms of all workers. Your efforts remain essential in advancing justice and accountability nationwide
Grateful to H.E. Mr. Alier Deng Ruai Deng, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of South Sudan to Geneva, for the informal meet-up on the sidelines of #HRC61 and for taking part in the side event on South Sudan. We look forward to continued collaboration and engagement.
Many thanks to @CPJAfrica for getting in touch and for their valuable article on South Sudan’s new cybercrime law and its impact on press freedom. Their ongoing work in highlighting risks faced by journalists is crucial in defending free expression.
cpj.org/2026/04/south-sudans…
Bentiu University of Petroleum aims high, but amid conflict, displacement & decaying infrastructure, specialised higher education here isn’t sustainable. Peace isn’t optional; it’s the prerequisite.
Read my views: Published at World University News universityworldnews.com/post… – at Geneva, Switzerland
Today, we honour the women human rights defenders in South Sudan who face risks head-on to fight oppression and inequality. Your courage is unstoppable, your work is essential.
No threats. No barriers. Your fight is our fight!
#IWD2026 #WomenHRDs #StandWithWomen #SouthSudan
James Bidal retweeted
Photos from our #SouthSudan event today at #HRC61. We thank panellists & partners, as well as all state & OHCHR representatives who attended.
James Bidal retweeted
⁉️ In Geneva for the UN Human Rights Council's 61st session ⁉️
Attend our side event, “South Sudan in crisis: the HRC’s role in preventing further atrocities”
📅 Thursday 5 March 2026
⏲️ 14:00-15:00 CET
📍 Palais des Nations, Room IX
🇺🇳 #HRC61 #SouthSudan 🇸🇸
James Bidal retweeted
Very pleased to have been able to meet so many human rights defenders at a roundtable event this morning in Geneva. Thanks to the @ISHRglobal for organising and hosting. #HRC61
James Bidal retweeted
The South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN) is warning Parliament that the Cybercrime and Computer Misuse Bill 2025, set for a final vote, could be misused to limit basic freedoms - #SouthSudan #SSOX eyeradio.org/south-sudan-cyb…
Renewing the mandate of the UNCHRSS is critical. It preserves evidence, deters further violations, and provides early warning of atrocity risks. With accountability mechanisms still weak in South Sudan, sustained scrutiny by the United Nations Human Rights Council is essential.
🚨 South Sudan: in a letter released today, a record number of 1⃣2⃣9⃣ NGOs urge members of @UN_HRC to extend the mandate of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (#CHRSS) to enable it to pursue its investigations 🇺🇳
The signatories also urge the international community to stand ready to respond to any further deterioration of the country's situation, including on the basis of expert analyses of risk factors for atrocity crimes.
📩 Full letter: defenddefenders.org/south-su… 🇸🇸
#SouthSudan #HRC61
James Bidal retweeted
In solidarity with Dr. Sarah Bireete, a human rights defender, lawyer, and election observer from Uganda. Dr. @SarahBireete was detained yesterday afternoon (December 30, 2025), following her comments on the political activity ahead of the 2026 general elections in Uganda.
Thank you @No1CitizenDaily for reaching out. While the Transitional National Legislative Assembly has passed the Cybersecurity Bill today, we respectfully call on H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit not to assent to the Bill. @ssadvocacy
onecitizendaily.com/index.ph…
James Bidal retweeted
It is our collective obligation to protect women and girls from all forms of violence including violence perpetuated through technology.
@canSouthSudan @EyeRadioJuba @lmxblack @NLinSouthSudan @longj2a @UNFPASouthSudan @Peaceforce
eyeradio.org/rights-group-ca…
Report on our recent press statement to kickstart the commemoration of the annual 16 days of activism.
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In light of the passing of the controversial Cybercrime Bill. The bill has missed the chance to address the new forms of GBV
Powerful message from Edmund Yakani, we cannot afford another election delay. The path forward is clear, stop political brinkmanship, make minimal legal fixes, and let the citizens finally choose their leaders. 2026 must be the year to break the deadlock
radiotamazuj.org/en/news/art…

































