Defenders' stories

Tuisina Ymania Brown, a leading voice for Samoa's indigenous LGBTIQ community, advocates for legal recognition and rights, facing challenges posed by cultural and religious norms.

Prominent human rights defenders from China, Ethiopia and Syria have been honoured for their courageous work in the face of great personal risk, with the announcement of the Final Nominees for the Martin Ennals Award 2016.

Pedan Marthe Coulibaly champions women's rights in Côte d'Ivoire, facing challenges and advocating for legal reforms and human rights defenders' protections.

Reine Alapini-Gansou, the former Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders at the African Commission, emphasises the critical synergy between her mandate and civil society for safeguarding defenders in Africa, spotlighting the escalating challenges in regions like Burundi and Congo.

Francess Piagie Alghali, a leading women's rights advocate in Sierra Leone, discusses her transformative journey from the Human Rights Commission to grassroots activism, facing cultural challenges and the struggle for funding while championing women's dignity and rights.

Denis Mukwege, the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate from the DRC, is a distinguished surgeon and human rights advocate dedicated to restoring the dignity of women survivors of sexual violence in conflicts, bravely confronting threats due to his vocal opposition to impunity and economic injustices.

Arul, a dedicated defender from Malaysia, navigates risks and challenges while advocating for economic, social, and cultural rights, amidst frequent arrests and government and corporate pressure.

Allo Awol, advocating from outside Ethiopia, raises his voice against the government's use of legal systems for oppression, highlighting the critical role of international human rights mechanisms in supporting change.

Pedro Tzicá, a K'iche' defender from Guatemala, works tirelessly for indigenous peoples' rights to land and resources, facing government and corporate pressures.

Park Lae-goon advocates against state violence and for victims' rights in South Korea, challenging State impunity through his enduring commitment to justice.

Soh Lung Teo, Director of Function 8 Limited, shares her journey from imprisonment to advocating against arbitrary detention in Singapore, aiming to inspire change and uphold human rights.

Stephania Koulaeva, from ADC Memorial in Russia, battles government oppression and works on a broad range of discrimination issues. Despite facing political repression, her focus expands beyond national borders to include international advocacy for change.