2025 Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP) participants and ISHR staff in front of the UN building in Geneva ©Ben Buckland for 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.
Mariana Zaragoza, a dedicated advocate working in the immigration programme at the Ibero-American University of Mexico, tirelessly champions the rights of migrants and refugees, promoting a culture of hospitality and robust protection of their rights amidst challenging policy environments.
Flor Calfunao Paillalef, a Geneva-based Mapuche rights defender and designated 'Apo Werken' (Ambassador) of the Mapuche people to the UN, works tirelessly to advocate for the rights of Indigenous peoples and the legal recognition of the Mapuche community.
Sor Rattanamanee Polkla, a dedicated Thai lawyer and co-founder of the Community Resource Centre Foundation, passionately advocates for the rights of rural communities affected by development projects in Thailand.
Xavier Martinez, Technical Director at CEMDA, the Mexican Centre for Environmental Rights, has dedicated 25 years to advocating for the human right to a healthy environment in Mexico, working to empower communities and reform public policies.
Azadi, a pseudonymous human rights defender, is dedicated to protecting the rights of migrants and refugees, advocating against the criminalisation of migration and promoting a Europe of solidarity and civil society.
Paula Wachter, Executive Director of Red por la Infancia and an Ashoka fellow, champions the rights of children and adolescents in Argentina, focusing on eradicating violence and enhancing judicial accountability for sexual offenses against minors.
James Otto, an activist with the Sustainable Development Institute in Liberia, works tirelessly to advocate for human rights and sustainable development practices within his country, challenging the misperceptions of anti-development and striving to engage effectively with international human rights mechanisms.
Ana María Vidal Carrasco, Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Coordinator for Human Rights in Peru, advocates for the recognition and protection of human rights defenders, emphasising the need for legislative support and protection against criminalisation, especially for those in remote regions.
Sonia Acabal, a prominent advocate from the No Violence Against Women Network (Rednovi) in Guatemala, spoke about her experiences as a women's rights defender amidst the country's ongoing challenges with violence, corruption, and the fight for justice.
Yaxue Cao, the founder and editor of ChinaChange.org, amplifies the voices of human rights defenders in China from her base in Washington, D.C. Her platform translates and reports critical insights, affecting global understanding of China’s civil society challenges.
Karla Avelar, a finalist for the Martin Ennals Award in 2017 and a former ISHR trainee, is a dedicated advocate for LGBTI rights in El Salvador. As a trans woman and activist for over two decades, she has continued her fight despite facing intensified persecution, threats, and extortion.
Maria Sánchez Torres works at the International Institute on Law and Society in Peru, focusing on defending Indigenous peoples' rights through litigation and advocacy, including a significant case before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
