From 21-22 February, the EHAHRD-Net held its third General Assembly in Kampala, Uganda. PBI Kenya had the pleasure of attending the GA of the largest regional network of HRDs, which brought together individuals from Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Rwanda, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya.
The GA aimed at assessing the progress and implementation of 2012-2016 Plan of Action, revising new strategic priorities for the new 2017-2021 Plan of Action and strengthening the overall coordination between the various partners present. The EHAHRD officially rebranded itself as DefendDefenders and a new chairman of the network, Mr. Vital Nshmirimana was elected. PBI, as partner of DefendDefenders within the ProtectDefenders.eu consortium, took the opportunity to strengthen its network, get valuable information on the situation of HRDs in the region and discuss the possible assistance PBI can provide to both Kenyan and regional HRDs in Kenya. Bilateral meetings were held with DefendDefenders, Africa Atrocities Watch, International Refugee Rights Initiative, Protect Defenders secretariat and The Human Rights Centre Uganda, among others.