Dear members, partners and friends of the International Society for Human Rights,

as we release the April 2025 edition of our newsletter, we find ourselves at a critical juncture in the global human rights landscape. The past months have witnessed a surge in authoritarian measures, suppression of civil liberties, and erosion of democratic norms across various regions. It is specifically worrying that even parts of the world that were previously perceived as stable are increasingly going awry. In the United States of America, several policy shifts by the newly elected president have prompted widespread legal challenges and mass protests, notably the “Hands Off!” demonstrations, where millions have rallied to defend civil rights and democratic principles.

The past year has also seen a troubling escalation in global conflicts, with devastating consequences for civilians in many parts of the world. In Sudan, the conflict entering its third year has displaced around 11 million people and left millions facing acute malnutrition, particularly children. The Rapid Support Forces’ widespread sexual violence against women and girls underscores the urgent need for accountability. Moreover, the war in Ukraine continues to claim lives, with recent Russian attacks marking some of the deadliest days of 2025. These conflicts expose a near breakdown of international humanitarian law, as states and armed groups flout rules meant to safeguard human dignity.

Yet, amidst these crises, the resilience of human rights defenders and civil society offers a path forward. This newsletter is a testament to the courage of those confronting human rights violations around the world. Our great team at the ISHR Secretariat has once again—with the help of our global network and our numerous ISHR country representatives—put together an issue with rich content, highlighting many urgent human rights developments and inviting you to explore personal stories, in-depth analyses, and calls to action.

Self-evidently, our commitment to human rights amid the turmoil of war in Ukraine remains a major focus. Despite all the challenges they face, our Ukrainian colleagues are doing impressive work and standing up for justice in the face of injustice on every single day. In this newsletter, we report on the results of a successfully completed project to support Ukrainian women in their role as advocacy voices on social media. We also present our campaign on Ukrainian civilian prisoners through the very moving story of Kostiantyn Zinovkin. The struggle of his young wife, Liusiena Zinovkina, for his release helps to bring to the world’s attention another ugly facet of the terrible war against Ukraine that is often forgotten.

We also report from Armenia, East Africa, Ghana, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. As always, we offer an appealing mix of introductory articles to share knowledge, commentary, and pieces of art. For as multifaceted as the commitment to human rights is, so diverse must be the forms in which we report on it. Our young African colleagues in particular inspire us time and again with their wonderful poems and, in addition to intellectual engagement with human rights challenges, give us an alternative approach to standing together for the values that are important to us.

With regards to ISHR internally, we first and foremost report on an important milestone in the history of our organization: the successful ISHR International Council Meeting held in Bonn, Germany, at the end of March, where our members and country representatives from around the world convened to discuss strategic directions and reaffirm their commitment to human rights worldwide. A week later, the Swiss section of the ISHR held its annual general meeting that I had the privilege and joy to personally attend. Our Swiss colleagues are doing great work, not least through the annual presentation of the prestigious Swiss Human Rights Award. Meanwhile, the ISHR Social Media Advocacy Challenge 2025 encouraging global participation in digital human rights advocacy efforts was underway. In this newsletter, we report on the results and introduce the winner: Lorraine Aguti Esq. We celebrate young and dynamic human rights defenders like her, who inspire and motivate us with their ideas and new perspectives. At the same time, there is unfortunately not only good news to report from our own ranks. It is with great sadness that we also have to announce the unexpected passing of Vladimir Mikhailovich Novitsky, President of the Russian section of ISHR, on April 4, 2025. His contributions to human rights advocacy are forever remembered and honoured by our organization. We bow before a life well lived.

As we navigate this turbulent time, the ISHR remains committed to amplifying silenced voices and holding perpetrators accountable. We invite you to engage with this issue’s content: share the stories you read, join our calls to action, and support the defenders who risk everything every day for justice. Together, we confront the challenges of our time and strive for a world where human rights are not just aspirations but realities.

With a grateful heart that you travel with us on this journey,

Matthias Boehning
Secretary General, ISHR