Defenders' stories

Cynthia Palacios Reckziegel works in international advocacy for the Center of Legal and Social Studies (CELS) in Buenos Aires. She shared her hopes for a future in which women in Argentina can access reproductive health services without being discriminated.

'A leader needs to have a goal. My target is the grassroots community, mostly the Indigenous persons, because I feel they are mostly left out when it comes to human rights issues and that they are the ones that also suffer a lot when there are violations.'

'To promote respect for sexual diversity is important. I really hope to promote social projects based on respect for LGBTI people,' says Daniella Solano Morales, consultant and promoter with MULABI Latin America Space for sexualities and human rights in Costa Rica.

In this video, Daniella reflects on the necessity of her work and on how using UN mechanisms can help improve its impact and bring about change on the ground.

"I remember to be hopeful, not because it feels good or because I am waiting for something to happen on its own, but because I believe in my own power and the magic we create when queer people, Black people, women come together to channel our rage, righteous and raw, into sustained action." We were privileged to hear human rights defender Alicia Wallace's powerful message and would like to share her story with you below.

ISHR was honoured to interview Marisa Hutchinson, Board member of the Association EQUALS in Barbados.

ISHR was pleased to interview Mphatso Sakala, who participated in our Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme last June. 

Alexus is the Founder of the D’Marco Organization, which defends the rights of LGBTI persons, and the Caribbean Coordinator of Redlactrans, which works to advance the rights of trans persons. 

“We carry out the universal responsibility to insure that all people are protected” affirms Linda RM Baumann in her interview with ISHR. Linda is a strategic coordinator for Namibia’s Diverse Women Association (NDWA) and she advocates for LBT’s women rights.

Karla Avelar, a finalist for the Martin Ennals Award in 2017 and a former ISHR trainee, is a dedicated advocate for LGBTI rights in El Salvador. As a trans woman and activist for over two decades, she has continued her fight despite facing intensified persecution, threats, and extortion.

Cleopatra Kambugu, a transgender activist and grants administrator at UHAI EASHRI in Uganda, successfully campaigned for transgender rights, becoming Uganda’s first recognised trans citizen in 2021.

Otgonbaatar Tsedendemberel, co-founder of the LGBT Center of Mongolia, has been a pivotal figure in advancing LGBTI rights through education, advocacy, and strategic use of UN mechanisms to influence government policy.

Aych McArdle, a New Zealand human rights defender, focuses on enhancing LGBTI inclusivity in schools and advocating for broader protections under the nation's Human Rights Act.