She serves as Executive Director of Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan and as a Human Rights Fellow at Harvard.
Nayyab Ali, Pakistani human rights defender. Photo: Facebook.com/nayyabokara
In a historic recognition of inclusion and diversity, Pakistani human rights defender Nayyab Ali has been officially shortlisted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the position of UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.
“It is both humbling and deeply meaningful to be included in this process, not as a personal achievement, but as part of a broader fight for recognition and representation. For the first time in UN history, a transgender woman’s name appears on this list,” Nayyab Ali said in a post shared on X.
She further stated that this comes at a time when the global anti-gender movement is actively seeking to roll back hard-won protections and erase transgender and gender diverse people from policies, laws and public life, including within multilateral spaces.
“The reduction of civic space for SOGIESC human rights defenders poses an urgent challenge to the universality of human rights themselves. Inclusion on this list is therefore more than symbolic; it indicates that gender diversity, lived experiences and expertise belong at the center of the global protection of human rights,” it added.
The United Nations has published the list of shortlisted and eligible candidates for the upcoming appointment of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders at the 61st session of the Human Rights Council. It is both humbling and deeply meaningful to be included in this… pic.twitter.com/sLckkThKLb
— Nayyab Ali – نایاب علی (@nayyabalipk) October 13, 2025
Speaking to APP on Wednesday, Nayyab said the preselection was a reaffirmation of the UN’s commitment to equality and universality.
“This recognition is a reminder that the UN stands firm on universality and dignity for all. If appointed, my goal is to strengthen the protection of human rights defenders, especially gender diverse communities, who face violence and exclusion around the world,” she said.
The next phase of the selection process will be carried out by the Ad Hoc Advisory Group, which includes representatives from Malawi, the Republic of Korea, North Macedonia, Guatemala and Türkiye. The group will recommend candidates to the President of the Human Rights Council for final appointment during the 61st session.
Nayyab currently serves as Executive Director of Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan and as a Global Human Rights Fellow at the Carr Center at Harvard University.
She played a pivotal role in drafting Pakistan’s Transgender Rights Protection Act of 2018 and has received several international honors, including the Franco-German Human Rights and Rule of Law Award (2020).
