Who we are
Dr. Anita Nyanjong (Kenya)
President — Human Rights Lawyer & International Development Practitioner
Dr. Anita Nyanjong is a Kenyan human rights lawyer, feminist leader and international development practitioner with more than 17 years of experience advancing human rights, gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights, access to justice and social justice across Africa and globally.
An Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Anita holds a *PhD in Law from the University of Pretoria*, with research focused on African feminist approaches to justice. Her career spans human rights, law, philanthropy and international development, with extensive experience in women’s and girls’ rights, policy and advocacy, institutional strengthening and locally led development.
As President of Human Dignity, Anita serves in a non-executive governance capacity, working with the Board and Executive Director to provide board leadership, governance oversight and stewardship in support of the organisation’s mission.
Ms Aisha Gilani (United Kingdom)
Secretary — Barrister
Aisha Gilani is a UK Barrister who holds a Bachelor and Master of Law.
She has more than 15 years’ experience working in policy development, public affairs and communications with the UK government, the Commonwealth, United Nations organisations and civil society, including several years working in international affairs. She is an expert in international human rights law, with experience in post-conflict reconstruction. She brings to Human Dignity a wide range of expertise in advocacy, strategic communications, press and public affairs, campaigns, and civil society engagement.
Mr Amourlaye Touré (Côte d'Ivoire)
Treasurer — International Development & Human Rights Expert
Amourlaye Touré is an international development professional with 20 years of experience on human rights, elections, good governance, and the environment. He worked as a Country Director for the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and Freedom House in Niger, Togo, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda.
He is a founding member of the Ivorian Human Rights Movement (MIDH), which is a leading rights-based NGO in Cote d’Ivoire. As head of MIDH, Amourlaye worked on more than 400 investigations during the Ivorian crisis on issues ranging from rape, torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearance, and destruction of properties.
As a consultant, Amourlaye has worked for Open Society Initiative, Amnesty International, the UNDP, NDI, IFES, Rights and Democracy, etc. in countries like Djibouti, Sierra Leone, DRC, Niger, Liberia, Benin, Kenya, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
He is fluent in Bambara, French, and English, and conversational Spanish.
Ms Karine Appy (Brazil - France)
Administrator — International Development & Advocacy Professional
Holding a degree in philosophy and international relations, she has previously held key positions within international organizations. She worked at CCFD-Terre Solidaire, the leading French development NGO, where she led advocacy projects in collaboration with the media on major issues such as corporate social responsibility, food sovereignty, the fight against tax havens, and conflict resolution.
She also worked at the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).
Professor Nkatha Murungi (Kenya)
GA Member — Director, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Professor Nkatha Murungi is the Director of the Centre for Human Rights at the Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria. A seasoned human rights and social justice advocate, she has over 15 years of experience in research, advocacy, training, and programming across Africa. Her areas of expertise include the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities, as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights.
She has extensive experience leading pan-African research and advocacy initiatives, strengthening capacities, and developing strategic partnerships. She is based in Pretoria, South Africa.
Mr Stephen Musau (Kenya)
GA Member — Human Rights, Governance, Peace & Security Expert
Stephen Musau is a Kenyan expert in human rights, good governance, peace and security. He has extensive experience in designing, leading and supervising projects focusing on human rights, security, policing, and conflict prevention, management and transformation.
He currently works with Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the state agency responsible for overseeing the National Police Service. Before joining IPOA in 2014, he worked in Kenya’s civil society sector on governance, democracy and human rights, collaborating with national, regional and international human rights organisations.
Stephen holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights and Conflict Management from the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa, Italy, as well as a degree in Economics and Sociology from Egerton University.
Mr Clément Nyaletsossi Voule (Togo)
GA Member — Former UN Special Rapporteur & Senior Human Rights Adviser
Clément is the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to peaceful assembly and association. He is currently a Senior Researcher at the Geneva Academy and a Senior Adviser at the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR).
From 2011 to 2020, he was an expert member of the African Commission’s Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment, and Human Rights Violations in Africa.
A former Director of African Advocacy at ISHR, Clément also led the organization’s work on human rights defenders in transitional states. He served as the Secretary-General of the Togolese Coalition of Human Rights Defenders and of Amnesty International’s section in Togo.
Ms Seynabou Benga (Senegal-France)