ISLAMABAD: Pakistani human rights defender Nayyab Ali has been shortlisted by the UN Human Rights Council for the post of Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, marking the first time a transgender woman has been considered for the role.
Nayab Ali expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, “This acknowledgment is a reminder that the UN stands firm on universality and dignity for all. If appointed, I aim to strengthen protections for human rights defenders, especially from gender-diverse communities, who face violence and exclusion worldwide.”
The selection process will be led by the Special Consultative Group, which includes representatives from Malawi, the Republic of Korea, North Macedonia, Guatemala, and Turkiye.
This group will recommend candidates to the President of the Human Rights Council, who will make the final appointment during the upcoming 61st Session.
Currently, Nayyab serves as the executive director of Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan and is a Global Human Rights Fellow at Harvard University’s Carr Center.
She has been instrumental in drafting the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018, and has received seven international awards, including the prestigious Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law in 2020.
Ali emphasized that her shortlisting is not just a personal achievement but a historic milestone for Pakistan, enhancing transgender visibility and inclusion within the UN system.
Significantly, this marks the first time in UN history that a transgender woman has been shortlisted for such a high-level role under the UN Special Procedures system, signaling progress for inclusion and representation in global governance.
