Director's update | Towards a rights-respecting 2017

Just to name a few:

• The appointment of high-level UN officials to combat reprisals and counter homophobic violence and discrimination.
• The development of an influential Model National Law on Human Rights Defenders.
• The adoption of the first ever corporate policy on human rights defenders by a multinational company and the publication of comprehensive guidance for States on how to protect civil society through National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights.
• The mobilisation of high-ranking government officials and human rights experts to speak out and intervene in relation to attacks on human rights defenders in States including China, Egypt and Bahrain.
• The development of groundbreaking international jurisprudence on the legal obligation of States to protect defenders of economic, social and cultural rights.
• And the provision of intensive training and advocacy support to more than 200 defenders in Geneva and the field, like Natasha Latiff who works to defend women’s rights in Afghanistan, or Ivette Gonzalez who works to promote corporate accountability and sustainable development in Mexico. 

Thanks for supporting ISHR and making this change happen!

And thanks especially to all those generous supporters who collectively contributed over $33,000 to our December 2016 appeal, providing funding for at least five full scholarships for defenders at risk to participate in our renowned Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme!

We look forward to working with you towards an even more successful and rights-respecting 2017.

Phil Lynch
Director
International Service for Human Rights