Rafto Foundation for Human Rights

According to Emergency Response Rooms (ERR), around 160 volunteers have lost their lives since the outbreak of the war in Sudan.

The killing of Ali and Sara is a painful reminder of the immense risks faced daily by Sudanese civilians and volunteers working to keep their communities alive❤️‍🩹

The international community cannot look away from Sudan. Civilians, volunteers, and human rights defenders must be protected. Attacks on ERR volunteers must have consequences!

Our thoughts are with ERR; the families, colleagues, and communities mourning the loss of Ali and Sara.

Eid Mubarak to Muslims around the world🌏🫶

“If you want to get ahead and be part of the international arena, you need to be on top of this" said State Secretary Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik in a powerful reminder opening the FUTURE-PROOF Conference 2026: A Compass in an Uncertain World.

The conference highlighted how businesses and financial institutions play a key role in advancing human rights and upholding international frameworks by understanding the contexts in which they operate and strengthening human rights due diligence efforts. Ultimately improving outcomes for people.

Thank you to all speakers, participants, and everyone behind the scenes who contributed to an engaging and insightful day. In a time of geopolitical uncertainty and increasing complexity in global value chains, discussions on business and human rights are more important than ever!

It's encouraging to see so many companies focusing on working systematically to improve responsible business conduct.

We look forward to continuing this work with companies committed to human rights!

Photos: Eivind Senneset

🚨 Our highly-popular Masters course in Business and Human Rights returns this Autumn!

By signing up to this course, organised by Rafto, Institute for Human Rights and Business and the Universitetet i Bergen (UiB), you’ll learn from leading thinkers and global experts covering essential topics, from existing and proposed sustainability legislation, to the human rights impacts of AI and climate action.

The course is:
🌍 open to applicants worldwide
🗓️ spread across four weekends
💻 in person and virtual

Be part of the class of 2026! Find out more: https://www4.uib.no/en/studies/online-studies/society-and-politics/business-and-human-rights-course-part-time

The student group of 2026 is officially in place and ready to get started ✨

They’re excited to begin planning the upcoming Rafto Prize and to collaborate on highlighting important human rights work. From work with social media and booking artists to conference speakers and event logistics, they’re eager to take on it all.

Stay tuned for updates along the way!

UN experts call for an urgent, independent investigation after the killing of Yanar Mohammed in Iraq.

Yanar was on one of the most courageous human rights defenders of our time. In 2016, Yanar was awarded the Rafto Prize for her tireless work for women’s rights in Iraq under extremely challenging conditions.

We call for justice for Yanar: investigate immediately, hold perpetrators accountable, and protect Human Rights Defenders at risk.



Photo: Rasmus Madsen Berg

Rafto laureate 2024 Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara writes from his prison cell in Cuba.

For nearly five years, he has been imprisoned for exercising his freedom of expression as an artist. In his words, he reflects on the cost of speaking out and on his enduring hope for a freer, more just Cuba.

We call for his immediate release and the release of all political prisoners!

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/24/opinion/cuba-us-blockade-prisoner.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share


Luis manuel otero alcantara