Human rights defenders are leaders of change. They are people who are trying to make the world a better place - and they succeed, too! Discover some of their stories and achievements.
Whether their goal is to achieve equality for LGBTIQ+ people, to ensure a healthy environment for Indigenous communities or to defeat systemic racism, human rights defenders share a common vision, that of a society that is more just, equal and free for all.
Their work is vital to realise human rights change. Often, it takes people and communities to hold powerful politicians and corporations to account and make sure that everyone can benefit from the human rights and freedoms that we are all meant to share.
Human rights defenders come together to build networks and strategies, to prepare powerful campaigns that change minds and hearts, to propose solutions and advocate for better ways of doing things – to make sure no one is left behind.
Together, they have secured countless reforms for the benefit of millions of people around the world. From anti-racism and solidarity activists dismantling apartheid and segregation to feminists winning women the right to vote, from democracy campaigners bringing down tyrannical regimes to the recognition of marriage equality thanks to LGBTIQ+ rights defenders – the history of the human rights movement is overflowing with victories and plentiful reasons to have hope about our ability to create a better future for everyone.
Here at the International Service for Human Rights we are constantly being inspired by the brave people taking action to defend human rights and want to share some of their success stories with you. In the news below, you will also discover how we at ISHR support these leaders of change, strengthen laws and systems for their protection and contribute to a safe and enabling environment for them at the national, regional and international levels.
Of course, progress is an ongoing journey and work remains to be done. In this regard, it’s important to remember that we all have the right to defend human rights and the ability to create human rights change. Our collective actions today can create a better tomorrow for everyone.
Will you join the movement and help write the next success stories?
Zholia Parsi of Afghanistan and Manuchehr Kholiqnazarov of Tajikistan received the 2024 Martin Ennals Award in recognition of their work in deeply repressive environments.
Women human rights defenders (WHRD) working on environment and climate justice from around the world gathered in Geneva to participate in the Women Human Rights Advocacy Week (WHRD-AW) between 16 and 21 September. Discover their experience below!
This year marks ten years of ISHR's flagship training, the Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP), which engages defenders in intensive hybrid training on UN advocacy. We are pleased to welcome a new group to Geneva for the tenth edition of the programme!
As she is ‘almost free’, former Senator de Lima along with ISHR calls on the Human Rights Council to release others who remain arbitrarily detained in the Philippines.
Nepal's recognition of international legal frameworks is contributing to the development of national legal norms acknowledging issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.
On 14 March 2023, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders launched a report celebrating their achievements. The report uses and pushes for a more effective and positive narrative on those who defend human rights.
Here at ISHR we are constantly being inspired by the brave people taking action to defend human rights. They are leaders of change and we like to share their success stories with you.
Albert Ho, a pro-democracy leader who dedicated most of his lifetime to showing what it means to live by one's belief, walk one's talk, and give it all to preserve the truth.
Dr. Maria Luisa Acosta is the coordinator of the Centro de Asistencia Legal a Pueblos Indígenas (CALPI), an organisation that supports and seeks to realise the rights of Indigenous and Afrodescendant peoples and communities in Nicaragua.
Mauricio Ochieng' is a transgender activist and a SOGIESC human rights defender from the Western part of Kenya.
