The candidate brings a unique and comprehensive blend of grassroots experience, policy expertise, and familiarity with international human rights mechanisms. They have substantial knowledge of UN processes, having contributed to submissions for Special Rapporteurs and Treaty Bodies, and collaborated on Turkey’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which reflects a solid understanding of international advocacy and reporting frameworks. Their role in facilitating a field visit to Istanbul and organizing an information session for the GFoD team on the situation of Roma in Turkey demonstrates initiative, coordination skills, and a deep commitment to raising awareness of Roma issues on global platforms.Additionally, the candidate’s familiarity with the internal workings of human rights institutions, including ERGO and GFoD, positions them to contribute effectively from the outset. Their willingness to volunteer with GFoD further underlines their motivation and passion for the cause. Coupled with a strong academic background, they offer both the expertise and dedication needed to support GFoD’s mission and expand its impact.
Kunjani Pariyar Pyasi is a Human Rights Lawyer. Currently, she is the Province Coordinator of the Advocacy Forum, Nepal. To contribute to upholding human rights and social justice, she co-founded 'Nyaya Kunja Legal Associates through which she has been providing legal aid to marginalized clients since 2018. Her advocacy journey began at age 12 when she started to understand and advocate for child rights through child clubs. She has held various leadership roles in different organizations advocating for good governance, social Inclusion, youth engagement, and policy-making. She is now serving as the President of the Bahini Educare Foundation and board member of ADWAN ( Association of Dalit Women Advancement in Nepal).
Alima has shown strong commitment and capacity in supporting key regional and international human rights processes. She has actively contributed to engagements with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, providing critical support to amplify the issues faced by Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD) in Africa. Her involvement has helped ensure that CDWD concerns are recognized and addressed within the Commission’s work.
Furthermore, Alima played a pivotal role in the Gambia Universal Periodic Review (UPR) follow-up, working to ensure that recommendations relating to non-discrimination, equality, and social inclusion are meaningfully pursued at the national level. Her work has been crucial in building momentum for accountability and in pushing for tangible changes that reflect the realities of marginalized communities. Looking ahead, with an upcoming Voluntary National Review (VNR), Alima’s expertise and experience are even more vital. She is well positioned to ensure that the voices and demands of CDWD communities are incorporated into the national reporting and review processes, thereby increasing the visibility of these communities and advancing their rights within the broader SDG framework. Her proven track record of advocacy, engagement, and follow-through makes her an outstanding candidate for the Africa Rights Expert role.
Ephraim Ogwu is a dedicated Human Rights expert with a rich history of activism and advocacy, Born on the 5th November, 1984. My journey as a Rights defender can be traced to my inborn traits which fully manifested as a student union official, where I championed the defense of the Rights of Female students from Lecturer harassment. I am involved in defending the rights of displaced Farmers due to the activities of Herders within my local community, underscoring my commitment to justice and equality. I enhanced my expertise through participation in the Operationalizing the Rights to Development in Implementing the SDGs course at the Human Rights Centre, University for Peace, Costa Rica.
Am equipped academically to conduct extensive Research on any subject matter, including the Osu caste system. Through research, I have unofficially contributed literature to support the activities of GFoD in achieving its mission. I am also an Auditor.
Je m’appelle Zeinabou Almansour Galissoun. Je suis née le 18 février 1993 à Niamey au Niger. Je suis mariée et je suis maman. J’ai un diplôme en Communication des Entreprises et actuellement, je travaille en tant que Chargée de Communication pour une ONG appelée Timidria, qui lutte contre l’esclavage et les pratiques discriminatoires. Grâce à cette expérience, j'ai acquis une compréhension approfondie des pratiques esclavagistes, au sein d'une organisation qui a plus de 30 ans d'expérience dans ce domaine. En plus de la communication, j'ai également des compétences en infographie et en indesign.
Yacouba Ibrahim Oumarou is an activist in Niger West Africa, he is an artist, author, singer, and rapper. His stage name is Sage Soldat (“Wise Soldat”). Sage Soldat combines his work as an author and an artist with a master's degree in Arts and Culture from the University of Niamey (Currently following doctoral studies) with his activism and vision for youth and against oppression and slavery.
Yacouba worked on several projects with the local NGO Timidria, including on the Wahaya domestic and sexual slavery practice. He is a Senior Rights Expert on Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD) for the Global Forum of CDWD. On the community level, he works embedded in the community specifically raising the issue of forced labor, traditional forced occupations of current and future generations, and slavery practices. He is also engaged in the artistic education of orphans and leads writing, vocal technique and stage practice workshops.
Cheikh Sidati Mohamed Hamadi is a prominent human rights activist and advocate for social justice from Mauritania, born in 1969 in the Haratin CDWD community. He holds a degree from the University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar (Senegal) and is based in Nouadhibou, where he lives with his family. Since 2008, Cheikh Sidati has been a founding member of the Cultural and Social Forum of Mauritania (FSC), organizing medical caravans to provide essential healthcare services across the country.
In 2013, he joined the Abolitionist Movement Resurgence Initiative of Mauritania (IRA Mauritanie), where he has been actively involved in advocacy, organizing sit-ins, and leveraging social media to defend human rights, particularly for the Haratin communities who face slavery and similar practices. His work focuses on combating systemic inequalities and promoting the rights of marginalized groups, aligning closely with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and its interlinkages with other SDGs, such as SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Cheikh Sidati’s extensive experience in grassroots activism and advocacy highlights his deep understanding of the socio-economic challenges faced by vulnerable communities in Mauritania. His efforts emphasize the importance of creating inclusive economic opportunities, eradicating forced labor, and ensuring access to decent work for all.
