2022 – My New Year’s Message to Human Rights Defenders
Blog PostLooking forward to 2022 filled with great hope – my message to Human Rights Defenders. https://www.youtube.com/embed/_TVhDNo8FW8
2021 – Witnessing the Powers of Hope and Persistence
Blog PostWe know 2021 has been hard for many people, not least Human Rights Defenders. Working for human rights, often against powerful,…
Human Rights Defenders Day: The Power of Persistence
Blog PostI’ve spoken to thousands of Human Right Defenders (HRDs) in the last year and a half. These are people all…
Opening Remarks: UN General Assembly report on HRDs in Long Term Detention
Blog PostOn 14 October 2021, I presented my report, “States in denial: the long-term detention of human rights defenders” to the…
My reflections on this year’s uncontested election to the UN Human Rights Council
Blog PostJust over two weeks ago, 18 States[1] ran for 18 available seats at the UN Human Rights Council. This meant…
One year since the death of Fikile Ntshangase
Blog PostToday, 22 October 2021 marks one year since 65 year old woman environmental defender, Fikile Ntshangase, was shot dead in…
Reprisals – Reflections on the report and resolution at the UN Human Rights Council
Blog Post“States seldom take responsibility for such [reprisals], but rather there is almost invariably a blind, blanket and almost bovine denial.” …
My next report: why anti-corruption?
Blog PostAs soon as I took up this mandate as Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in May last year,…
Vacancy: Human Rights Researcher Consultancy Opportunity
Blog PostThe UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders is seeking a part-time researcher with practical experience of working with Human…
Over a year on, Belarus still hostile for Human Rights Defenders
Blog PostToday marks the one year anniversary of the detention of Marfa Rabkova, Woman Human Rights Defender with Viasna Human Rights…
The new UN Climate Report and Environmental Defenders
Blog PostThe report by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which came out earlier this week warns of imminent climate…
#InternationalYouthDay: Speech for the African Environmental Defenders Youth Day Webinar
Blog PostToday, 12 August 2021, I participated in a webinar organised by Natural Justice for International Youth Day. At the webinar,…