Andrea Bolaños Vargas appointed UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
Front Line Defenders welcomes the appointment of Andrea Bolaños Vargas as the next UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, by the UN Human Rights Council at the close of its 61st session in Geneva on 31 March 2026.
A Colombian national with a background in political science, Andrea Bolaños Vargas has significant human rights experience, including as a researcher and advisor for UN agencies and regional bodies, as well as international, regional and grassroots civil society organisations across Latin America. Her work has focused on migration, gender, and human rights protection issues, amongst other themes.
“Front Line Defenders warmly congratulates Andrea Bolaños Vargas on her appointment,” said Alan Glasgow, CEO of Front Line Defenders.
“At a time when human rights defenders are facing unprecedented pressure and accelerating backsliding, her leadership will be vital to ensuring that defenders’ voices resonate powerfully at the heart of the UN system and that they are backed by the principled, unwavering support they need now more than ever.
“It is notable that this is the first time a Latin American expert has been appointed as UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. Hailing from Colombia, the country with the highest documented numbers of killings of human rights defenders, Andrea Bolaños Vargas brings vital regional insight and lived experience that will strengthen the mandate and help advance more effective protection for defenders worldwide.”
Front Line Defenders also takes this opportunity to thank the outgoing UN Special Rapporteur, Mary Lawlor, for her tireless leadership and unwavering commitment to human rights defenders during her six-year mandate, leaving a lasting impact on the visibility, protection and recognition of defenders worldwide. She took up the role in 2020, following a dedicated career in civil society organisations where she supported HRDs, including by founding Front Line Defenders in 2001 and serving as its Executive Director until 2016.
Front Line Defenders looks forward to working with Andrea Bolaños Vargas in support of this vital and independent mandate, to ensure that human rights defenders are meaningfully heard, protected and respected at the UN and beyond. At a time of deepening global uncertainty, accelerating rollback, and unprecedented threats, this mandate is more essential than ever.
Andrea Bolaños Vargas will be the fifth UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders since the mandate was established in 2000. Previous mandate holders included: Hina Jilani (Pakistan, 2000-2008); Margaret Sekaggya (Uganda, 2008-2014); Michel Forst (France, 2014-2020); and Mary Lawlor (Ireland, 2020-2026).
