Meet the activists

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  • Paul Tran Minh Nhat

    Paul Tran Minh Nhat

    Paul Trần Minh Nhật is a Vietnamese journalist and human rights activist renowned for his unwavering commitment to religious freedom and freedom of expression in Vietnam. As a Catholic and former reporter for Vietnam Redemptorist News, he has extensively covered human rights violations and advocated for democratic reforms.

  • Luis Horacio Nájera

    Luis Horacio Nájera

    Luis Horacio Najera is a courageous journalist from Mexico, now living in exile in Canada. Throughout his career, he has engaged in investigative reporting on sensitive issues like government corruption, drug, and human trafficking, which led to him receiving several awards. After facing threats, he sought asylum in Canada, where he continued his academic pursuits and remains an influential voice on crime and press freedom.

  • Sheng Xue

    Sheng Xue

    Sheng Xue, a Beijing native now based in Canada, has become a prominent figure in journalism, human rights advocacy, and the pro-democracy movement. Her influential works and leadership in various organizations demonstrate a lifelong commitment to democracy, freedom of expression, and equality.

  • Neven Melek

    Neven Melek

    Neven Melek, an Egyptian lawyer and activist, championed peaceful protest in Egypt. After fleeing in 2013, she continues to advocate for human rights on international platforms.

Commentary & Resources

Redefining the frontlines: the battle for democracy in an era of transnational interference - by Philip Leech-Ngo, John Packer and Nadia Abu-Zahra

Redefining the frontlines: the battle for democracy in an era of transnational interference - by Philip Leech-Ngo, John Packer and Nadia Abu-Zahra

Blog: Gender Persecution in Afghanistan: Implications for ICC Investigation - by Shabnam Salehi

Blog: Gender Persecution in Afghanistan: Implications for ICC Investigation - by Shabnam Salehi

BLOG: From Anti-Corruption Expert to Postdoctoral Fellow: A Story of Resilience Amidst War and Displacement - by Olha Chernovol

BLOG: From Anti-Corruption Expert to Postdoctoral Fellow: A Story of Resilience Amidst War and Displacement - by Olha Chernovol

BLOG: Les activistes en exil, une voix qui ne s’éteint pas - par Victor Amisi Sulubika

BLOG: Les activistes en exil, une voix qui ne s’éteint pas - par Victor Amisi Sulubika

BLOG: Springtime for Hope - by Sheng Xue

BLOG: Springtime for Hope - by Sheng Xue

BLOG: The Severe Human Rights Violations of China's Sinicization Policy in Tibet - by Tsering Thonsur

BLOG: The Severe Human Rights Violations of China's Sinicization Policy in Tibet - by Tsering Thonsur

BLOG: 14 Years and One Tweet - by Luis Horacio Nájera

BLOG: 14 Years and One Tweet - by Luis Horacio Nájera

LINK: Canada Must Protect Activists-in-Exile Against Transnational Repression - by John Packer and Ghuna Bdiwi

LINK: Canada Must Protect Activists-in-Exile Against Transnational Repression - by John Packer and Ghuna Bdiwi

BLOG: Coping with Loss and Challenging Life Transitions: An Exploration of Personal Experiences and Coping Strategies Coping with Loss and Challenging Life Transitions: An Exploration of Personal Experiences and Coping Strategies - by Neven Melek

BLOG: Coping with Loss and Challenging Life Transitions: An Exploration of Personal Experiences and Coping Strategies Coping with Loss and Challenging Life Transitions: An Exploration of Personal Experiences and Coping Strategies - by Neven Melek

LINK: Expedience over Justice: Implications of the Fate of the Khashoggi Trial for Activists-in-Exile - by Philip Leech-Ngo, Nadia Abu-Zahra and John Packer

LINK: Expedience over Justice: Implications of the Fate of the Khashoggi Trial for Activists-in-Exile - by Philip Leech-Ngo, Nadia Abu-Zahra and John Packer

BLOG: Shooting Star - by Ali Mirzad

BLOG: Shooting Star - by Ali Mirzad

VIDEO: Addressing the Ongoing Genocides against the Rohingya and Uyghurs

VIDEO: Addressing the Ongoing Genocides against the Rohingya and Uyghurs

VIDEO: Voices Launch Event with Ali Mirzad

VIDEO: Voices Launch Event with Ali Mirzad

LINK: Human Rights Defenders Day: The Power of Persistence Statement by Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (9 December 2021)

LINK: Human Rights Defenders Day: The Power of Persistence Statement by Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (9 December 2021)

LINK: Global Migration, Activists-in-Exile, and Canada - by John Packer, Nadia Abu-Zahra and Philip Leech-Ngo

LINK: Global Migration, Activists-in-Exile, and Canada - by John Packer, Nadia Abu-Zahra and Philip Leech-Ngo

LINK: Canada must support Rohingya Activists-in-Exile - by Prof John Packer and Saifullah Muhammad

LINK: Canada must support Rohingya Activists-in-Exile - by Prof John Packer and Saifullah Muhammad

VIDEO: What can the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders do?

VIDEO: What can the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders do?

IN THE NEWS

The Guardian: Canadian police charge three over killing of Sikh activist

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The Hill Times: Redefining the frontlines: the battle for democracy in an era of tran…

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The Guardian: Canadian police charge three over killing of Sikh activist 〰️ The Hill Times: Redefining the frontlines: the battle for democracy in an era of tran… 〰️

Meet the team

Professor Nadia Abu-Zahra
Co-Director

Professor John Packer
Co-Director

Professor John Packer is an Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre (HRREC) at the University of Ottawa. He was appointed the Inaugural Neuberger-Jesin Professor of International Conflict Resolution in April 2018.

See Prof Packer’s full profile page here.

Professor Abu-Zahra is an Associate Professor in the School of International Development and Global Studies at the University of Ottawa, and a member of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre. Prof Abu-Zahra is the Joint Chair in Women's Studies at Carlton University and University of Ottawa.

See Prof Abu-Zahra’s full profile page here.

Dr. Philip Leech-Ngo
Coordinator

Philip Leech-Ngo is a skilled researcher, analyst and communicator with more than ten years of experience as a consultant and academic with a focus on international affairs.

See Dr. Philip Leech-Ngo’s full profile page here.

Our partners

  • Neuberger-Jesin Professorship in International Conflict Resolution University of Ottawa

  • Human Rights Research and Education Center

  • Joint Chair in Women's Studies Carleton University and University of Ottawa

  • Open Society Foundations

  • World Refugee Council