Defenders' stories

‘Water is to protected. Water is not for sale. Water is to be defended.’

'There is a responsibility for big tech companies to uphold human rights to make sure that they are not complicit in the violation of human rights, especially in the context of genocide.'

‘We strongly believe that we must push the gender perspective, that we must work with the present and future generations, and that also puts their lives at risk, because they are looking for their birthright. And [these risks] should not be normalised in our world, as we look to reach what is known as climate justice.'

'With everything happening around the world, the international community may be stretched thin, but it’s very important to look at places that may not have as much public visibility.'

'From the time we grow up, our grandparents teach us to love nature and the environment, to respect rivers, lakes and mountains, because, as children, they explain to us that all of it is sacred.'

Alexandra Lezama is a human rights defender from Venezuela who came to Geneva to expose the facts and consequences of illegal mining and the contamination of the environment in the State of Bolívar.

'Daily challenges are quite difficult sometimes. But I am convinced that, when we do good, when we commit to human rights, whatever the difficulties that come before us, we will always be able to overcome them in full solidarity.'

We are privileged to have met a young, passionate human rights defender - and HRDAP 2018 alumni - who works so that everyone can "live in a better world, a just and humane society in harmony with nature and climate."

Luisa Rios, Office Director for the Madre Dios branch of the Peruvian Society for Environmental Law (SPDA), tirelessly advocates for the rights of environmental defenders combating illegal activities in Peru’s forests. Her leadership steers crucial legal support initiatives, aiming to fortify the legal and human rights of vulnerable communities and ecosystems.

Nfor Hanson Nchanji, an award-winning human rights journalist from Cameroon, shines a light on underreported violations, particularly during the Anglophone crisis, through his platform, Cameroon News Agency.

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.

Surendra Pratap, from the Centre for Workers and Education in New Delhi, collaborates with grassroots organisations across India, advocating for the rights of agricultural, forest, and informal workers, with a focus on addressing large-scale labour rights violations.