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We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Gustavo Gallón, a staunch ally of human rights and a former board member for ISHR.
ISHR mourns the passing of Gustavo Gallón, ambassador for Colombia to the United Nations in Geneva and former founding Director of the Colombian Commission of Jurists. He was 74.
At the national level, Gustavo was a principled and influential advocate for human rights, peace, justice and the rule of law.
At the international level, Gustavo served as UN Special Rapporteur on Equatorial Guinea and UN Independent Expert on human rights in Haiti. He also made significant contributions to the drafting of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action in 1993, the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in 1998, and the Model National Law on Human Rights Defenders in 2014.
Gustavo was truly an ally to human rights, a dedicated bridge-builder between States and civil society. His work always centered human rights defenders and victims and survivors of violations, helping ensure Geneva and the UN human rights mechanisms it is home to remain relevant and connected to the communities that need them most.ISHR Director Phil Lynch
Gustavo Gallón served on ISHR’s board from 2010 to 2016, contributing his deep experience and expertise to ensure that ISHR remained focused on serving human rights defenders and strengthening the international and regional systems to which they so often turn for recognition, protection and justice.
Thank you Gustavo for being such a deeply principled defender of human rights, and for your indomitable belief in human dignity, equality and potential. We will miss you in the human rights movement, but your legacy will long endure.ISHR Director Phil Lynch
We extend our deepest condolences to Gustavo’s family and colleagues, as well as our profound gratitude for his enduring contribution to human rights.
