Our Advocates

Between 1989 and 2023, more than 350 advocates from nearly 100 countries have attended the program. HRAP participants have ranged from early-career advocates who cut their teeth in very urgent human rights situations to mid-career advocates who have founded organizations. HRAP alumni have served as UN special rapporteurs, in the ministries of their governments, and at leading human rights organizations around the globe. They have been recognized with honors including the Rafto Prize, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award and the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders, the highest acknowledgment from the international human rights community.

Below are the biographies of current Advocates and descriptions by select alumni as to why they became human rights advocates.

To see a list of additional past Advocates click here.

To read about more about the work of our Advocates click here .

 

Olena Semenova
Lenny Emson, 2017
Ukraine
Louisa Essendi, 2015
Kenya
Elsadig Elsheikh
Elsadig Elsheikh, 2009
Sudan
Bede Chimezie Eziefule
Bede Chimezie Eziefule, 2002
Nigeria