2024 Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP) participants and ISHR staff in front of the UN building in Geneva ©ISHR
Here at ISHR we are constantly being inspired by the brave people taking action to defend human rights and want to share some of their stories with you.
Khartini Slamah, a dedicated Malaysian transgender rights defender, works tirelessly on HIV/AIDS and LGBTI rights, facing challenges in a country where legislation and societal norms significantly hinder the LGBTI community's freedoms.
Henri Tiphagne, of People’s Watch, details the resilience in promoting human rights in India, despite governmental hindrances like the FCRA suspension, emphasising the essential role of international engagement and local solidarity in defending human rights.
Michel Forst, in reflecting on his initial objectives as the then-newly elected UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, emphasises a preventative approach to safeguard defenders, advocating for supportive laws and policies against growing global challenges.
Led by Veronica Yates, the Child Rights International Network strives for UN consultative status to advocate for children's rights globally, facing challenges from political opposition, especially China's objections to Tibet-related content.
The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, led by Gissou Nia, seeks UN consultative status to bring Iranian human rights violations to international attention, despite being hindered by bureaucratic challenges and the inability to conduct fieldwork in Iran.
Fundación Pachamama, led by Belen Paez, champions Ecuador's forest conservation and indigenous rights, overcoming challenges like the 2013 government shutdown to advocate for environmental justice and global solidarity.
Yuyun Wahyuningrum is an Indonesian human rights defender who works closely with the ASEAN regional system and in particular the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). She shares her thoughts on the challenges human rights defenders face in the ASEAN system.
Thilaga Sulathireh initially joined the struggle for LGBTI rights in Malaysia in response to her own experience of discrimination and harassment on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. She now devotes herself to promoting and protecting the rights of others.
Three prominent human rights defenders from China, Bangladesh and Mexico have been honoured for their courageous work in the face of great personal risk with the announcement of the Final Nominees for the prestigious Martin Ennals Award 2014.
Shin Dong-Hyuk was born and spent the first 23 years of his life in prison Camp 14 in North Korea. Shin escaped from the camp in 2005, the only person known to have done so, and has since dedicated himself to exposing gross human rights violations in North Koreas and struggling for the freedom of its people.
Rachel Arinii, representing the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, navigates UN bureaucratic challenges to advocate for youth empowerment and sexual and reproductive rights on a global stage.
Rikke Nöhrlind guides the International Dalit Solidarity Network towards achieving UN consultative status, striving to address caste discrimination globally. Her efforts emphasise overcoming bureaucratic challenges to elevate Dalit rights on the international human rights agenda.
