International Service for Human Rights

What International Service for Human Rights does

The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) is an independent non-profit organisation founded in 1984 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with permanent offices in New York and a strategic presence in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The organisation supports human rights defenders (HRDs) globally through training, advocacy support, legal advice, strategic litigation assistance, and capacity-building services aimed at enabling defenders to engage effectively with the UN Human Rights Council, treaty bodies, special procedures, and the Universal Periodic Review. In 2025 ISHR trained or provided advocacy support to 1,318 HRDs across 70 countries, and achieved a 73% adoption rate of its recommendations in the UPR. The organisation operates under four strategic programme areas: equality, dignity and non-discrimination; environmental justice and sustainability; international accountability; and transparency and rule of law.

ISHR's product surface is a portfolio of interconnected services rather than a unified software platform. Core offerings include the ISHR Academy (e-learning modules), the Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP — a hybrid programme combining online coursework with an intensive 10-day Geneva training), HRCnet (a network of 16 NGOs coordinating UN Human Rights Council engagement), the Model Law on Recognition and Protection of Human Rights Defenders (adopted by 28 jurists in 2016), the National Protection interactive resource map, the #EndReprisals database, and a multi-language Resources library. Distribution occurs through direct field engagement, open-access online platforms, the HRCnet partnership network, and ISHR's role as secretariat for UNARC and co-convenor of the Business Network on Civic Freedoms and Human Rights Defenders.

ISHR is funded entirely by donations — from individuals, foundations, and governments — with no commercial revenue. In 2025 it raised and managed a 3.7 million CHF budget, of which 90% was spent directly on programme activities and 10% on operations. Suggested individual donation tiers range from $25 to $500, with monthly recurring, wire transfer, TWINT, donor-advised fund, and corporate matching options. The 55-person staff is held to recognised non-profit transparency standards including Candid Gold Seal of Transparency, Charity Navigator 4-star rating, and NGOsource equivalency determination (valid through 12/31/27).

Name

International Service for Human Rights

Legal name

Service international pour les Droits de l'Homme (International Service for Human Rights)

Website

https://ishr.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ISHR is a Geneva-based non-profit founded in 1984 that supports human rights defenders globally through training, advocacy, and capacity-building at UN mechanisms, operating permanent offices in Geneva, New York, and Abidjan on a 3.7M CHF donation-funded budget.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Human Rights Advocacy Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Human Rights & Anti-Discrimination Organizations (BPAGAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Human Rights Monitoring, Documentation & Advocacy (BPADAGAK)

Keywords

• Human rights advocacy
• Capacity building training
• International accountability
• Civil society support
• UN human rights mechanisms

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: ISHR operates as a non-profit organization funded primarily through donations from individuals, foundations, and governments. They accept one-time and monthly donations, wire transfers, and have partnerships with donor advised funds. In 2025, they raised 3.7 million Swiss francs, with 90% spent directly on programme activities supporting human rights defenders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ISHR supports human rights defenders globally by providing training, advocacy support, legal advice, strategic litigation assistance, and capacity-building resources to help them engage with UN and regional human rights mechanisms. The organization delivers this through its ISHR Academy e-learning platform, the flagship HRDAP hybrid training programme, HRCnet NGO coordination network, the Model Law on protection of defenders, and direct engagement at the UN Human Rights Council.

Product overview

ISHR operates as a human rights NGO offering a portfolio of interconnected products and services rather than a unified software platform. The core offerings include the ISHR Academy e-learning platform and Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP) for capacity building; HRCnet for NGO coordination at the UN Human Rights Council; the Model Law and National Protection resources for legislative protection; and a Resources library of guidebooks, reports, and tools. Additional services include the More Support directory for emergency assistance referrals, the #EndReprisals Database for documenting reprisals, and Defender Stories for amplifying defenders' voices. These offerings work together to support, protect, and strengthen human rights defenders' engagement with international and regional human rights mechanisms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HRCnet: A network of 16 national, regional and international NGOs working to support human rights defenders in their engagement at the UN Human Rights Council. Established in 2006.
• ISHR Academy
• Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP)

Products and services

• ISHR Academy ISHR's e-learning space that helps human rights defenders strengthen their advocacy skills with the UN for greater impact on the ground. The platform provides online learning modules, tools, insider tips, and defender stories to demystify the UN human rights system and build capacity for change.
• Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP) ISHR's flagship hybrid learning programme that brings together activists from around the globe. Participants complete an interactive online course, receive coaching and advocacy support, and engage in a 10-day intensive training in Geneva to leverage the UN system for advocacy objectives.
• HRCnet A network of 16 national, regional and international NGOs working to support human rights defenders in their engagement at the UN Human Rights Council. Enhances NGO engagement with the Human Rights Council and strengthens its impact on the ground.
• Model Law on the Recognition and Protection of Human Rights Defenders A Model National Law developed in collaboration with over 500 defenders from every region, intended to guide states to ensure full implementation of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders at the national level.
• National Protection Resource and Mapping Tool An interactive map and resource database showing developments in national legal instruments for human rights defenders, comparing them to the Model Law. Covers laws, policies, protection mechanisms, and guidelines across multiple countries.
• Resources Library Analytical and practical information resources including guidebooks, research reports, fact sheets, briefing papers, annual reports, manuals, scorecards, toolkits, and laws and policies to strengthen defenders' access to human rights bodies.
• More Support Directory A directory of resources for human rights defenders at risk, providing information about emergency assistance schemes, relocation programs, and safety and security resources from international, regional, and thematic organizations.
• #EndReprisals Database A database documenting cases of intimidation and reprisals against human rights defenders who engage with the United Nations, supporting advocacy efforts to end such practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 73% of ISHR's recommendations were taken up by States in the Universal Periodic Review in 2023
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• UN Antiracism Coalition (UNARC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISHR acts as the secretariat for UNARC, a coalition working to combat racism through UN mechanisms. This is a flagship partnership that positions ISHR as a key coordinator for anti-racism advocacy at the international level.
• Business Network on Civic Freedoms and Human Rights DefenderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerISHR acts as co-convenor of this network, which brings together businesses and civil society to promote civic freedoms and protect human rights defenders in corporate contexts.
• African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent, non-profit regional human rights NGO based in Banjul, The Gambia, committed to promotion of the African Charter of Human and Peoples' Rights and universality of human rights.
• DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerServes as secretariat of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, representing hundreds of members consisting of individual HRDs, human rights organisations, and national HRD coalitions.
• Southern African Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates regional efforts to provide rapid, practical, comprehensive and inclusive protection support to HRDs at high risk, defend civic space, and empower HRDs to mitigate the effects of repression.
• West African Human Rights Defenders Network (WAHRDN/ROADDH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerComposed of national coalitions for human rights and individual focal points. Has observer status to the African Commission of Human and Peoples' Rights and is a member of the NGO Forum executive committee.
• Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO with General Consultative status with UN Economic and Social Council, committed to development of legal self-reliance and empowerment of people with emphasis on cultural, social and economic rights.
• Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 82 member organisations across 23 countries in Asia. Works to strengthen movements for human rights and sustainable development through research, advocacy, and capacity development.
• Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArgentine human rights organization promoting protection of rights, justice and social inclusion at national and international level. Works on memory, truth and justice, institutional violence, and social inclusion.
• Conectas Direitos HumanoscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian NGO with UN consultative status since 2006 and observer status at African Commission. Works to protect and expand rights of everyone, especially the most vulnerable.
• Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent regional NGO aiming to promote respect for human rights and democracy in the Arab region through policy development, advocacy, and human rights education.
• Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEgyptian human rights group focusing on personal rights including body, privacy and house - rights often ignored or overlooked.
• CIVICUScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal alliance of civil society organisations and activists with more than 9,000 members in more than 175 countries, dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society.
• Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent, non-profit, non-partisan international NGO working in the area of human rights in Commonwealth countries through reports, research and advocacy.
• Human Rights House FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablishes, supports, and connects Human Rights Houses - coalitions of civil society organisations working together. 16 Houses in 11 countries united in international network.
• Human Rights WatchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization with ~450 people of 70+ nationalities investigating and reporting on abuses worldwide. Works to protect the most at risk through advocacy towards governments and businesses.
• World Uyghur CongresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPromotes democracy, human rights and freedom for the Uyghur people through peaceful, nonviolent, democratic means. Carries out international advocacy at UN, European institutions, and national governments.
• Front Line DefenderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in organizing in-person training for African defenders ahead of African Commission's 89th session, equipping defenders with knowledge and skills to integrate the African Commission into their work.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Amnesty International: Largest global human rights NGO combining research, advocacy, and campaigning at the UN and with states. Closely comparable in mission and UN-engagement model to ISHR.
• Human Rights Watch: Global independent human rights organisation conducting investigations and advocacy at the UN and with governments. Listed as a strategic partner of ISHR and operates in the same advocacy and international-mechanism space.
• International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH): Federation of 192 national human rights organisations conducting advocacy at the UN and regional bodies. Highly comparable in UN advocacy and defender-protection work.
• Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS): Regional NGO promoting human rights and democracy in the Arab region through advocacy and human rights education. Named partner and directly comparable in mandate.
• Front Line Defenders: International organisation dedicated to protecting human rights defenders, providing grants, training, and advocacy. Named partner of ISHR and directly comparable in HRD-protection mandate.
• Conectas Direitos Humanos: Brazilian NGO with UN consultative status focused on protecting and expanding rights, especially for vulnerable groups. Listed partner with directly comparable international-mechanism engagement.
• FORUM-ASIA: Network of 82 human rights organisations in 23 Asian countries. Listed as a strategic partner of ISHR with directly comparable regional NGO coordination role.
• DefendDefenders: Secretariat of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, focused on protection and capacity-building of HRDs. Named partner of ISHR with overlapping mandate.
• CIVICUS: Global alliance of civil society organisations and activists across 175+ countries, focused on civic space monitoring and advocacy. Directly comparable coalition-based civil-society model.

Emerging players

• EarthRights International: NGO combining legal action, advocacy, and capacity building for environmental and land rights defenders — an overlapping constituency with ISHR's environmental justice programme.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ishrglobal
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ISHRGlobal
• Facebookfacebook.com/ISHRglobal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-service-for-human-rights
• Instagraminstagram.com/ishrglobal/?hl=en

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Service for Human Rights