Defenders' stories

17 year-old British human rights defender, Fahma Mohamed, is committed to freeing the world of female genital mutilation, starting with her own community in Bristol, UK. 

'If you threaten human rights defenders, you break the eyes, mouths, legs, and arms of the people', says the Director of Women Peace Network Arakan, ahead of the vote on a UN General Assembly resolution on Myanmar.

Sheila Keetharuth, with her extensive background in human rights advocacy and as a Special Rapporteur on Eritrea, highlights the critical role of defenders in driving human rights change, emphasising the power of international mechanisms in providing visibility and protection.

Born and educated in Geneva, ISHR founder Adrien Zoller’s lifelong commitment to non-governmental and human rights work began as a hobby. Adrien spoke to ISHR about what drove him towards his human rights vocation, and about ISHR’s founding and profound impact to the global human rights movement.

Three courageous activists have been recognised for their work to promote and protect human rights at great personal risk with the conferral of the prestigious Martin Ennals Award and Prizes at a ceremony in Geneva today.

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.

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.

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.

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.