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Andrea Bolaños Vargas set to become next focal point for defenders at the UN

The Human Rights Council President has proposed that States select Bolaños Vargas as the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders by the end of the body’s ongoing 61st session.

The Office of the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council has made public a letter in which it presents 15 candidates to fill mandates within the UN human rights system. This includes the key position of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, for which the President has proposed Andrea Bolaños Vargas.

In selecting a new mandate holder, we urge States to commit to fully cooperating with the Special Rapporteur to promote and enable the work of human rights defenders everywhere. The work under this mandate is central at this time where we urgently need the voices of individual activists and civil society to reinvent multilateralism.
Fabiana Leibl, Programme Manager for ISHR

A Colombian national, Andrea Bolaños Vargas is a human rights expert with experience as a researcher and advisor for UN agencies, regional bodies, international, regional civil society and grassroots organisations across Latin America, particularly on migration, gender, and human rights protection issues.

Should the Council approve this nomination in the closing days of its 61st session, Bolaños Vargas will succeed Mary Lawlor, who has held the position of Special Rapporteur since 2020.

Update:

On 31 March 2026, the Human Rights Council appointed Andrea Bolaños Vargas as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. 

ISHR’s campaign contributed to demystifying the appointment process which led to a larger pool of eligible candidates and a strong selection process.

ISHR congratulates the new mandate holder!

 

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