ISHR’s Board has been further strengthened by the appointment of leading international human rights experts and strategists Lucia Nader of Brazil and Elizabeth Broderick of Australia.

(Geneva) – ISHR’s Board has been further strengthened by the appointment of leading international human rights experts Elizabeth Broderick and Lucia Nader.

Lucia Nader, of Brazil, is currently a Fellow with the Open Society Foundations and was Executive Director of Conectas Human Rights from 2011-14, where she worked from 2003. Lucia has also served as Executive Secretary of Brazil's Foreign Policy and Human Rights Committee and is a Board member of the Fund for Global Human Rights.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Nader said, ‘12 years ago I participated in ISHR's world-renowned training course and this continues to deeply influence my belief, understanding and work with the UN and regional human rights mechanisms. A decade on it is an honor to join the ISHR Board.’

Ms Nader’s expertise and research in relation to high-performing and high-impact NGOs will further strengthen the governance and strategic development of ISHR.

‘During the last 30 years, ISHR has provided invaluable support to human rights defenders all over the world, particularly those in vulnerable and dangerous situations. Over the past four years, under the leadership of Phil Lynch, the organisation has implemented a refreshed and innovative approach to its mission, while building on its history and achievements. I am honored and excited to join the organisation's board and to contribute to this continued strengthening and transformation,’ Ms Nader said.

Elizabeth Broderick, of Australia, is a champion of women's rights and gender equality. She was Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner from 2007 to 2015 – where she worked to combat violence and harassment against women and to promote women’s security, participation and leadership – and formerly a partner with leading international law firm Ashurst. She is currently Global Co-Chair of the Women’s Empowerment Principles Leadership Group (a joint initiative of the UN Global Compact and UN Women) and Special Adviser to the Executive Director of UN Women, New York. She is a former member of the World Bank’s Advisory Council on Gender and Development.

‘ISHR’s work to support and empower women human rights defenders is vital to achieving gender equality, valuing diversity and combating discrimination. I look forward to working with the expert Board, staff and valued partners of the organisation to contribute to these goals,’ Ms Broderick said.

Ms Broderick’s experience working at the highest levels to embed cultural change within both public institutions and multinational corporations will further strengthen ISHR’s work to promote corporate respect for human rights and human rights defenders.

‘Corporations have a responsibility to, and an interest in, respecting human rights defenders and working with them to protect the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly and uphold respect for the rule of law. That is the kind of operating environment in which independent civil society and responsible business alike thrive,’ Ms Broderick said.

Welcoming the appointments of Ms Nader and Ms Broderick, ISHR Director Phil Lynch said, ‘I am really excited and honoured by the opportunity to work with Lucia and Liz. Their expertise, strategic focus, and extensive networks will ensure even greater relevance, effectiveness and impact in ISHR’s work to empower human rights defenders, strengthen human rights systems, and drive human rights change for years to come.’

Ms Nader and Ms Broderick commenced their three year terms as Board members on 14 May 2016.

Full details of the ISHR Board are available at: https://www.ishr.ch/board.

Contact: Phil Lynch, Director, International Service for Human Rights, on [email protected] or + 41 76 708 4738.