Human rights defender’s story: Muchamad Darisman from Indonesia
Muchamad Darisman advocates for workers' rights in Indonesia's rapid industrial growth, facing challenges from restrictive legislation and the influence of foreign corporations.
i
2025 Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP) participants and ISHR staff in front of the UN building in Geneva ©Ben Buckland for ISHR
Defenders' stories
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.
Human rights defender’s story: Soraya Aziz Souleymane from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Soraya Aziz Souleymane leverages her corporate background to advocate for community rights and governance in the DRC's mining sector, emphasising collaboration and strategic engagement for change.
Human rights defender’s story: Alejandro González from Mexico
Alejandro González of PODER champions corporate accountability in Mexico, aiding communities against abuses and promoting transparency amidst threats to activists and journalists.
Human rights defender’s story: Lassana Koné from the Democratic Republic of Congo
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.
Human rights defender’s story: Bettina Cruz from 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.
Human rights defender’s story: Emmanuel Umpula Nkumba from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Emmanuel Umpula Nkumba highlights the systemic challenges facing human rights defenders in DRC, emphasising the struggle for corporate accountability amid governmental and legal indifference.
Human rights defender’s story: Sukhgerel Dugersuren from Mongolia
Sukhgerel Dugersuren champions corporate accountability in Mongolia, highlighting the urgent need for legal reforms to protect the environment and communities from the mining industry's impacts, while facing challenges against human rights defenders.
Human rights defender’s story: Belen Paez from Ecuador
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.
Human rights defenders’ story: right groups honoured leading defenders from Bangladesh, China, and Mexico
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.
Human rights defender’s story: Mario Domingo, human rights lawyer from Guatemala
Mario Domingo, a Guatemalan human rights lawyer, battles corporate human rights violations. He urges international action, highlighting the need for UN scrutiny of business practices prioritizing human rights over profits.