It is thanks to our generous donors - thanks to people like you and me - that the International Service for Human Rights can help human rights defenders like Maria in the struggle to make their dreams a reality.
Meet Maria
‘Hi, my name is Maria Torres. I come from Peru and I work as a lawyer for the International Institute on Law and Society. I became a lawyer because I wanted to fight against injustice. As a student, I travelled to the Amazon and I saw how indigenous people were suffering violations of their most basic human rights; and there was a lot of indifference from civil society. At that moment, I decided that I wanted to dedicate my life to this cause. It was really important that one of us in my organisation learns about UN mechanisms and that’s why I came to Geneva to attend ISHR’s training. I am leaving Geneva with a lot of knowledge about the UN mechanisms. This knowledge will allow me to help indigenous peoples in Peru’.
A few days ago, we wished farewell to the 17 brave human rights defenders who attended our flagship Human Rights Defenders Advocacy Programme. Whether they are involved in fighting for the rights of indigenous peoples in Peru, fostering social protection for workers in Cambodia, defending detainees in Egypt, helping women stand for their rights in Romania, or mobilising support for the LGBTI community in Uganda – all of them have one thing in common: they came to Geneva because they needed our support, they needed our training.
It is thanks to our generous donors – thanks to people like you and me – that the International Service for Human Rights can provide this training and help human rights defenders like Maria in the struggle to make their dreams a reality.
Are you one of these people? Can you support a human rights defender today?
Here is what a recent independent expert evaluation of ISHR reports: ‘ISHR is an effective and influential organisation that has contributed in important and concrete ways to achieving positive outcomes for the protection of human rights generally, and the benefit and protection of human rights defenders more specifically. Human rights defenders themselves stressed that ISHR’s training, as well as its ongoing strategic partnership, makes their work more effective.’
Big or small, your donation will help. Here’s how…
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$50 |
enables ISHR to provide a human rights defender with comprehensive resources, giving them the foundational knowledge they need to use international and regional mechanisms to expose and combat injustice |
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$500 |
enables ISHR to provide a defender with strategic advocacy assistance to deliver their testimony to the UN Human Rights Council, allowing their voice to be heard on the international stage |
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$5000 |
enables ISHR to provide a defender with two weeks’ intensive training and direct advocacy support, together with access to key diplomats and UN experts, empowering them to use international advocacy to contribute to change on the ground |
Monthly donations allow us to better plan our activities and provide continuous support to defenders.
Human rights defenders are the lifeblood of the human rights movement. They are our best hope for a fairer, safer world. Let’s help them today to achieve transformative change!
Big thanks to everyone who has donated so far.
At a time of financial strife and ongoing reform for the organisation, States have adopted a 2026 budget cutting 117 jobs at the UN’s Human Rights Office. The final budget endorses proposed cuts that disproportionately target human rights, imperilling the UN’s ability to investigate grave abuses, and advance human rights globally.
ISHR and 37 human rights organisations in Latin America issued a joint statement condemning the United States military attack against Venezuela and expressing concern about the serious human rights situation in the country. Any solution to the crisis facing the country must be democratic, peaceful and negotiated, centred on respect for human rights, and prioritising the participation and decision-making power of Venezuelan society over its future.
In a landmark ruling against Burundi, the UN Committee against Torture has set a precedent on the protection of lawyers and human rights defenders engaging with UN mechanisms, affirming that reprisals for cooperating with the UN violate the Convention Against Torture.
