ISHR fundraising appeal donor board
A big thanks to everyone who is getting behind our fundraising appeal and investing in a better world by supporting human rights defenders!
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2025 Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP) participants and ISHR staff in front of the UN building in Geneva ©Ben Buckland for ISHR
Fight back with human rights defenders! Protect the international system that protects us all.
DonateWith human rights defenders, we work for a world that is more just, equal and sustainable for all.
About us
We support human rights defenders. Here’s how.
Through our programmes, we support and act in solidarity with human rights defenders, contributing to a world that is fair, just and peaceful, in which all people can live free and equal, in communities that are diverse and inclusive.
Latest updates
UN Committee against torture underscores Bahrain’s failure to prevent torture and protect defenders
The UN Committee against Torture (CAT) reviewed Bahrain’s fourth periodic report (CAT/C/BHR/4) during its 83rd session in Geneva in November 2025. The dialogue focused heavily on the situation of human rights defenders, torture, accountability, and conditions of detention. ISHR and partner organisations played a central role in ensuring that the Committee addressed the urgent cases of several detained defenders.
Paths towards corporate accountability in the context of the genocide in Gaza
As the genocide in Gaza exposes deep corporate complicity, experts and human rights defenders convened in Geneva to discuss urgent paths toward accountability. This discussion unpacked how businesses, investors, and States must act now to end profiteering from atrocity crimes.
Helping human rights defenders strengthen their advocacy skills with the UN
ISHR Academy is ISHR's e-learning space, helping human rights defenders strengthen their advocacy skills with the UN for greater impact on the ground. Our learning modules demystify the UN human rights system and build capacity to push for change. Discover new tools, insider tips, defender stories, and more!
Human rights defenders' stories
'A desirable future would be a country full of peace and prosperity, where all genders would have access to their basic rights and to justice.'
Our priorities
Women's rights
Women human rights defenders have historically been at the forefront of human rights progress relating to gender and equality, creating and implementing campaigns for change.
LGBTQI+ rights
LGBTQI+ rights defenders work toward enhanced respect, dignity, equality and a world free from violence and discrimination for their communities, for everyone!
Business and human rights
Responsible business should support human rights and people who defend them. Companies can take concrete actions to protect defenders and the 'shared space' in which both operate!
Land, climate and environment
Land, climate and environmental rights defenders work against the clock to address the climate crisis and help us all live on a healthy, sustainable planet.
Where we work
ISHR has permanent offices in Geneva and New York, enabling us to build and leverage our distinctive expertise and networks at the UN and among key diplomats for the benefit of defenders. ISHR establishes presences in strategic locations from time-to-time as is appropriate and necessary to best enable achievement of our goals. As is the case with our office in Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire, such presences may include the co-location or secondment of ISHR staff with key national and regional human rights defender organisations or networks or the relocation of staff to provide enhanced access to key decision-makers.
Our impact
We support defenders, strengthen laws and systems for their protection and contribute to a safe and enabling environment for them at the national, regional and international levels.
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18185
Number of people accessing information and support through the ISHR Academy in 2024.
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1163
Number of human rights defenders to whom ISHR provided training or advocacy support in 2024.
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73%
Percentage of recommendations made by ISHR and taken up by States in the Universal Periodic Review in 2023.
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© Lorena Rossi
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