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 .

 

Karyn Kaplan
Karyn Kaplan, 2009
Thailand
Akinyi Ocholla
Akinyi Ocholla, 2009
Kenya
Florencia Ruiz Mendoza
Florencia Ruiz Mendoza, 2009
Mexico
Anbu Sengo Arasi
Anbu Sengo Arasi, 2008
India
Alejandro Rivera Marroquín , 2008
Mexico
Peter Mulbah
Peter Mulbah, 2008
Liberia
John Caulker
John Caulker, 2007
Sierra Leone
Zachary Norris, 2007
United States
Sandeep Kumar Pattnaik, 2007
India
Ly Pisey
Ly Pisey, 2007
Cambodia
Priscila C. Rodriguez Bribiesca
Priscila C. Rodriguez Rodriguez Bribiesca, 2007
Mexico
Jorge Cortés Fajardo
Jorge Cortés Fajardo, 2006
Bolivia
Chukwumuanya Igboekwu
Chukwumuanya Igboekwu, 2006
Nigeria
James Makor
James Makor, 2006
Liberia
Andrea de la Barrera Montpellier
Andrea de la Barrera Montppellier, 2006
Mexico