Defenders' stories

Mary Akrami champions the protection and rights of Afghan women through shelters and advocacy, highlighting the urgent need for defender safety mechanisms amidst personal risks.

Lassana Koné is a lawyer in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, working for Forest Peoples Programme, an international NGO working to protect the rights of those who live in the world’s forests.

Gilbert Sendugwa spearheads efforts at Africa Freedom of Information Centre, advocating for transparency across Africa by promoting access to information laws and their implementation.

Three prominent human rights defenders from Burma, Guinea and the United Arab Emirates 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 2015.

Tilder Kumichii of Cameroon champions gender equality and educates on human rights, facing cultural challenges and advocating for legal reforms to protect women and human rights defenders.

Joseph Bikanda, leading the Pan African Human Rights Defenders Network, emphasises the importance of collaboration in protecting human rights defenders across Africa, leveraging regional and international mechanisms for stronger advocacy and emergency support.

The Assyrian Human Rights Network urges the UN to address the plight of Assyrian Christians in Syria, advocating for the release of detainees and action against impunity for crimes committed.

Dolly Ibefo Mbunga, leading La Voix des Sans Voix in the DRC, navigates significant risks to defend human rights, facing government reprisals and fostering international dialogues for protection.

Algerian NGO, Collectif des familles de Disparus en Algérie, struggles for UN consultative status to advocate for victims of enforced disappearances, facing procedural hurdles by the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs.

Nawaf is the founder of Kuwait Watch and an active human rights defender. Nawaf, who is well known for advocating for the rights of stateless persons and other minorities in Kuwait, was advised on arrival in Geneva for the UPR of Kuwait that an arrest warrant awaits him on return home.

When Idolina's brother formed part of the teachers' union protest, he was disappeared and later jailed forcing Idolina to take up his defence. Here, she explains to ISHR the impact of the represion of human rights activism in Mexico. 

Mexican activist Bettina Cruz recently attended the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights. In this profile, she tells ISHR why the human rights violations in her region and her own criminalisation made this a priority.