The OHCHR Multi-Country Office in East Africa and NANHRI Civic Space Newsletter – January to September 2025

NANHRI and OHCHR Release Civic Space Newsletter (January – September 2025)

The Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) and the OHCHR Multi-Country Office for East Africa are pleased to share the latest edition of the Civic Space Newsletter, covering the period January to September 2025.

This issue highlights urgent civic space challenges in Uganda, Tanzania, and Djibouti, including:

• Rising cases of transnational repression across borders;

• Increasing restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and association;

• Arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and shrinking participation of civil society actors;

• Hostile environments for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), journalists, and political opponents.

At the same time, the newsletter documents positive steps and collaborative actions to safeguard civic space. These include joint advocacy on human rights and climate justice, strengthening Environmental HRD coalitions, recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, AU-level policy dialogues, and capacity support to NHRIs.

Together with partners, NANHRI and OHCHR reaffirm their commitment to creating an enabling environment for civic participation and the protection of human rights across Africa.