Our organization

Our Organization

South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN) is a non-profit, non-political civil society network that is identified by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC). It is a coalition of civil society organizations and individuals working to protect and promote human rights in South Sudan.

SSHRDN was established as a local chapter of the Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network (PAHRDN) and in collaboration with DefendDefenders all based in Uganda.

The Network was set up in 2012 following a meeting of human rights organizations working in the country and registered as a non-governmental organization on May 31st 2019 and launched on June 6th 2019 with a functional secretariat based in Juba, liaising with regional focal secretariats on activities aimed at promoting HRDs rights.

The network has established structures in place to ensure strategic implementation and oversight of programs. Over this period the Network has registered many achievements as well as challenges including mapping out member organizations across the states.

60+
Member Organizations
Across all 7 States of South Sudan — with more looking to join.

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Our Vision

To have all human rights defenders in South Sudan recognized as essential actors in the struggle for the spread of human rights and enjoy freedom and security to undertake their legitimate activities.

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Our Mission

SSHRDN's mission is to protect, defend and support human rights defenders whose lives and health are at risk because of their peaceful and legitimate activities.

As a local Chapter, SSHRDN seeks to provide protection, build the capacity of and create operational space for human rights defenders in South Sudan as a means of promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms to safeguard our democratic principles through concerted participation of all the populace.

The network also seeks to promote the participation of human rights based civil society organizations to research, analyze and pursue strategic interventions through advocacy, campaign to promote and protect human rights defenders in South Sudan.

Our Reach — 7 States

Central Equatoria Eastern Equatoria Western Equatoria Jonglei Lakes Unity Upper Nile Northern Bahr el Ghazal Western Bahr el Ghazal Warrap

* The network is present across all ten states; the seven original member states are highlighted.