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.
Ahlem Belhadj champions women's rights in Tunisia, facing challenges despite legal advances, advocating for protection mechanisms for women human rights defenders against social and governmental resistance.
Alejandra Burgos is Coordinator of the Salvadoran Network of Women Human Rights Defenders, which aims to articulate efforts for the protection of women defenders and the promotion of women’s rights. She is based in San Salvador, El Salvador.
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.
Pierre Fritznel is the Executive Director of Combite pour la Paix et le Développement, an NGO in Haiti focusing on combatting violence against women and ensuring the participation of women in reconstruction efforts.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
Ilwad Elman, a courageous woman human rights defender in Somalia, combats gender-based violence and champions women's rights amidst formidable challenges and widespread opposition.
Cristina Hardaga Fernandez is a human rights defender working to promote and protect women's rights in Mexico and Central America.
