About me
I am a Professor of Human Rights. I previously worked in New York where I served as President and CEO of the Center for Victims of Torture from 2021-2026. CVT is the largest international organization that treats survivors and advocates for an end to torture worldwide.
From 2011-2021 I was Executive Director of the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, where I led advocacy at the UN Security Council to help prevent crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. I have also worked extensively with human rights defenders around the world, including in Syria, Myanmar, Ukraine and other conflict zones. Between 1994 and 2002 I worked with former IRA prisoners in support of the Northern Ireland peace process. I am also a former member of the international anti-apartheid movement and of the African National Congress in South Africa.
I am the author of five books and have also written for the New York Times, The Australian, News24 (South Africa), O Estado de S. Paulo (Brazil), Los Angeles Times and many other publications. I have appeared as an expert commentator on CNN, Al-Jazeera, BBC World News, Deutsche Welle News, China Global Television Network and numerous other international media.
Among my other commitments, I am a member of the International Advisory Board of Skateistan. In 2020 a documentary about Skateistan, “Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re A Girl),” won an Academy Award.