
Board
ISHR is governed by a Board of Directors which is responsible for the overall strategy and governance of the organisation.
The International Service for Human Rights is an independent, non-profit organisation promoting and protecting human rights. Founded in 1984, ISHR has offices in Geneva (Switzerland) and New York (United States), as well as a permanent presence on Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire).
Our mission is to support human rights defenders, strengthen human rights systems, as well as lead and participate in coalitions for human rights change. We believe that no matter who we are or where we come from, no matter the differences between cultures, as human beings, we all share the same humanity. We all wish to live in peace, be respected, be surrounded by our loved ones in a safe and fair environment, and with opportunities to lead our lives in dignity.
We want to make sure that as humanity advances, no one is left behind. To always speak out against injustices like racism, sexism, or the climate crisis and support people working on the frontlines with communities.
We carry out our mission by:
Our reach is global thanks to our network of human rights defenders, the diverse human rights fields we contribute to and our privileged connections with the United Nations and other important stakeholders.
Read more about ISHR’s mission, activities, impact and vision in our Annual Reports and our Strategic Framework for 2021-2025.
ISHR is governed by a Board of Directors which is responsible for the overall strategy and governance of the organisation.
Meet our staff members, the driving force behind ISHR's impact.
Meet the talented, passionate people who are gaining experience at ISHR - and who bring a whole fresh look into our activities!
Check out our updated world map on legislative protection, which collates developments in national legal instruments related to defenders and compares existing and draft instruments with the standards set by the Model Law.
The Network is now launching its official website, where details about activities, priorities and participants can be found and engagement is encouraged.
A big thanks to everyone who is getting behind our fundraising appeal and investing in a better world by supporting human rights defenders!
Are you a French-speaking human rights defender seeking to further develop your advocacy strategies by engaging with the United Nations? Find out more through our online learning platform, the ISHR Academy, now available in French!
The International Service for Human Rights is warning that phishing emails, camouflaged to appear as sent by an organisation called International Society for Human Rights and using the same acronym ISHR, are being disseminated with the goal of delivering malware and stealing information under the pretext of an invitation to an “International Human Right Conference on (Elimination Violence Against Women & Children, Human Trafficking and Child Abuse) Taking place from the 21st - 24th of JUNE 2021 in Massachusetts , Boston the United States and from the 27th - 30th of JUNE 2021 in Saint Louis, Senegal.
It's difficult to encapsulate such a complex year in a word, but "interconnected" is one that comes to mind when reflecting on 2020. We are proud to have remained deeply interconnected with defenders and to have supported, protected and amplified their work at the national, regional and international levels. With them, the "essential workers" of our times, we strive for a 2021 full of freedom, equality, dignity and justice.
2021 has been challenging from a human rights perspective, but it’s also been a year over which sparks have been lit on key issues which we must now nurture and ensure fires of progress that long burn bright.
It's difficult to encapsulate such a complex year in a word, but "interconnected" is one that comes to mind when reflecting on 2020. We are proud to have remained deeply interconnected with defenders and to have supported, protected and amplified their work at the national, regional and international levels. With them, the "essential workers" of our times, we strive for a 2021 full of freedom, equality, dignity and justice.
Here are some of the things we are most proud of; impacts that reflect and were made possible thanks to the creativity, solidarity and resilience of our partners, our staff and the human rights defenders we collectively serve.
The Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has commissioned an external evaluation of nine international NGOs active in the human rights field, including ISHR. The evaluation report provides valuable insights in ISHR’s work and impact.
As we embark on a new decade, the world faces tremendous challenges, from climate change to COVID-19. There are plenty of reasons for anxiety and concern. But we see even more reasons for ambition and hope. We take hope from courageous human rights defenders across the world who continue their vital work to make human rights a reality for all of us. We are proud to serve them, with the solidarity and support of people like you.
All over the world people have risen and continue to strive, push and persevere to make human rights a reality for all of us! These people are human rights defenders. ISHR is proud to serve them, with the solidarity and support of people like you.