Advancing Human Rights Through Collective Action
Why We Are Evolving
Since its establishment, Sudanese Human Rights Activists (SHRA) in Norway has been driven by the dedication of volunteers who believe in the importance of defending human rights, promoting justice, and supporting individuals and communities at heightened risk of human rights violations. We are all volunteers in the truest sense of the word. We have not received any external funding since our founding.
The ongoing war in Sudan and its devastating consequences have placed extraordinary pressure on Sudanese communities, including those living abroad. Many of our volunteers have taken on additional responsibilities with many having to double their working hours to be able to provide additional financial support to their families and communities while continuing their human rights work.
Despite these challenges and our limited resources, our commitment remains strong, and our determination to persevere remains unwavering. We carry on because we understand ‎how essential, meaningful, and necessary this work is.‎
We recognize that our contribution is only a drop in an ocean of need, and that our efforts are not enough in the face of such immense suffering. Yet, we believe deeply in the value and significance of the tangible progress we have achieved under extraordinarily difficult circumstances, and in the ability of sustained, principled, and collective action to make a meaningful difference.
The growing need for reliable human rights documentation, effective advocacy, and stronger cooperation among civil society actors has encouraged us to reassess our priorities and develop a more coherent strategic direction.
Our ambition is to move beyond individual activities towards a more coordinated, sustainable, and impactful approach to human rights work.
Why a New Strategic Approach Now?
Sudan’s human rights situation has changed dramatically since the outbreak of the war in April 2023. Human rights violations and abuses have intensified, displacement has expanded, and the humanitarian and protection needs of civilians have increased significantly. At the same time, the fragmentation of Sudanese civil society and the severe weakening of state institutions have created significant challenges that demand coordinated, principled action guided by the needs of affected communities
Against this backdrop, and as a fully volunteer-based organization, we have reached a point where working harder is no longer enough – we must work smarter, more strategically, and more collaboratively.
Our evolving approach seeks to strengthen the effectiveness, coordination, and sustainability of our human rights work in response to these challenges.
Our Strategic Direction
A) Strengthening Documentation and Evidence
We aim to enhance our monitoring and documentation systems to produce reliable, structured, and responsibly accessible human rights information. This includes developing a secure and centralized information-management system, improving verification processes, and strengthening our network of credible field sources, while obtaining the informed consent of victims, witnesses, and other information providers and protecting their safety and confidentiality.
B) Expanding Community Empowerment
We will deepen our engagement with communities by raising awareness, providing training, and strengthening the capacity of individuals, particularly women and young people, to understand, exercise, and defend their rights.
C) Advancing Accountability
We will strengthen our efforts to document alleged human rights violations and abuses, support independent investigations and appropriate accountability mechanisms, and contribute to preserving evidence that might otherwise be lost or overlooked. Our role is to help connect the experiences of affected communities with relevant national, regional, and international justice and accountability mechanisms.
D) Building Stronger Networks
We will work to reduce fragmentation by connecting human rights actors, grassroots groups, and international partners. Our presence in Norway provides valuable opportunities to engage with established human rights organizations and international institutions – opportunities we will seek to use to strengthen cooperation and amplify the voices of victims and affected communities.
E) Promoting a Culture of Volunteerism
We recognize that sustainable human rights protection requires meaningful community engagement. We will promote a culture of volunteerism that encourages individuals to participate in protecting and defending human rights, turning awareness into action and action into long-term change.
How We Will Work
Evidence‑Based Approach
Our work will be grounded in verified information, credible documentation, and rigorous analysis.
Community‑Driven Engagement
We will prioritize the needs, perspectives, and meaningful participation of affected communities, particularly those in Sudan and across the Sudanese diaspora.
Collaboration Over Isolation
We will strengthen partnerships with local, regional, and international organizations to improve coordination, maximize the effectiveness of our efforts, and reduce duplication.
Transparency and Accountability
We will uphold our independence, maintain transparent and responsible organizational practices, and adhere to high ethical and professional standards.
Protection and Do No Harm
We will prioritize the safety of victims, survivors, witnesses, and information sources, safeguard their dignity and privacy, and obtain their informed consent, while taking appropriate measures to minimize risks arising from our activities.
Sustainability and Long‑Term Thinking
We recognize that meaningful change takes time. Our approach is guided by a long-term commitment to building capacities, strengthening relationships, and planting seeds that may grow across generations.
What We Aim to Achieve
Through these strategic priorities, we aim to contribute to:
– Developing a secure and structured system for managing human rights monitoring and documentation information.
– Improving information-verification procedures and protecting information sources.
– Strengthening the capacities of volunteers and community actors in documentation and advocacy.
– Developing mechanisms for communication, coordination, and knowledge-sharing among human rights actors.
– Strengthening the organization’s capacity to produce credible reports and research that support advocacy and accountability efforts.
– Improving organizational planning, priority-setting, and the effective use of available resources.
Our Commitment
We remain a fully volunteer-driven organization, motivated by a profound sense of responsibility. This strategic direction reflects our conviction that even in the darkest moments, collective action, knowledge, and solidarity can help shape a different future.
We are committed to walking this long and difficult road, knowing that the seeds we plant today may grow and bear fruit for generations to come.
Developing Our Strategic Approach
We are currently preparing a participatory strategic planning workshop to review our current work, assess emerging needs and challenges, and identify priorities for the coming period.
The workshop will bring together our team and relevant partners to explore ways of strengthening our human rights monitoring, documentation, advocacy, networking, and campaign activities, with particular attention to the evolving situation in Sudan.
Through a structured and collaborative process, we aim to develop realistic objectives, improve coordination, and make more effective use of our available capacities and resources.
The outcomes of the workshop will inform our organizational planning and help refine the strategic priorities.
