JHR: Journalists for Human Rights

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JHR: Journalists for Human Rights

Since 2002, JHR has worked around the world to train and engage local journalists, media outlets, civ Engaged over 5,000 Canadian student Chapter members.

JHR (Journalists for Human Rights) is Canada’s leading media development organization. Our goal - to make everyone in the world fully aware of their rights - is as unique as it is powerful. Since JHR’s founding in 2002 the organization has worked tirelessly to strengthen independent media in sub-Saharan Africa by building the capacity of local journalists to report ethically and effectively on human rights and good governance issues. JHR’s work ensures the media can play its rightful role as a referee between state and civil society. The more people are aware and free to discuss human rights, the more they will hold their governments to account, leading to improved public services, less corruption, better economic opportunities and stronger democratic processes. Since 2002, JHR has:

Run programs in 17 Sub-Saharan countries. Started Chapters at over 50 universities and high schools internationally. Trained over 12,000 professional African journalists and students. Partnered with over 250 African media organizations. Reached an estimated 50 million Africans with human rights information through our local partners.

04/22/2026

Team JHR rolled up their sleeves this morning for a Volunteer Day with & ToolBank! ⚒️

Executive Director Bill Killorn, Finance Managers Sarala Sidgel & Ahmad Ali and Sr Programs Manager (MENA) Nisreen Abusultan joined a community-wode effort to build benches for local schools and orgs.

A huge thank you to Whilna Stewart-Franklin for inviting us!

04/22/2026

TORONTO: Coming up on Apr 29 & 30 at Fest - Birds of War, a film abt the odds-defying love story b/w a Lebanese journalist & Aleppo-based cameraman, whose shared mission to document the Syrian uprising led to a bond neither of them expected.

Get your tickets via the link in bio.

04/16/2026

Coming up in Toronto: On Sat, April 18, JHR President Rachel Pulfer will lead the Future of Global Cooperation panel ft the Hon. Bob Rae, Aurelie Bonal (EU Delegation to Canada), Nivyabandi (Amnesty International Canada) & Maiwand Rayhab (Resilient Societies) - on how middle powers can protect democracy & human rights together.

Only virtual tix remain! Head to democracyxchange.org to secure your seat.

04/08/2026

: Scenes from our workshop series training young content creators to spot + share those skills with their peers. Read the full blog via link in bio.

One participant pledged: "From now on, I'll verify info before sharing it. I commit to holding awareness talks with my network." 💪

In partnership with Malian feminist association La Femme en Moi.

04/05/2026

💬 "There will be more pressure on democratic countries."

Belarusian journalist Hanna Liubakova, a panellist at our Berlin event on , explains why democratic nations can not afford to ignore the threat of authoritarianism + what's at stake globally.

04/03/2026

💬 "Transnational repression is not only a matter of human rights. It's a matter of national security."

On the sidelines of our Berlin panel, JHR-Europe Project Coordinator Anhelina Hudkova caught up with moderator Vytis Jurkonis of , who shared his key takeaways from the day's conversation.

He said that authoritarian regimes are using every tool available to silence dissidents in exile and the hosting countries are not immune. Solidarity with victims is essential, but so are real consequences: sanctions, universal jurisdiction and coordinated pressure.

04/02/2026

BERLIN: Yesterday, JHR co-hosted an urgent conversation on transnational repression w/ the Embassy of Canada to Germany and 's DFRLAb.

We heard directly from journalists and activists who have lived it: Hanna Liubakova (Belarusian journalist), Jessikka Aro (Finnish journalist and author) and Natalia Arno (President, Free Russia Foundation), alongside keynote speaker Sviatlana Tikhanouskaya, National Leader of Belarus. The panel was moderated by Vytis Jurkonis of Freedom House.

Opening remarks came from Ambassador of Canada to Germany Vera Alexander, Counsellor & Head of Public Diplomacy Erin König, and JHR President Rachel Pulfer.

Panelists spoke from experience, sharing the human cost of transnational repression and what effective policy responses must look like.

Stay tuned to hear directly from the panellists on what governments and institutions can do to counter this growing threat.

📸: Jens Schicke

03/06/2026

Yesterday, had the pleasure to sit down w/ The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State for International Development, to formally introduce him to JHR's work + share updates on our programs, incl Amplifying Voices of Women and Girls, our new 12-country initiative.

JHR President Rachel Pulfer, Executive Director Bill Killorn & International Programs Director Zein Almoghraby shared how JHR’s home-grown made-in-Canada media development model mobilizes media to change lives - for the better!

03/05/2026

: Mark your calendars for a special Women’s Day conversation! Link in bio

On March 12 at 1pm (ET), &
will host a talk with Evgeniya Chirikova, co-founder of , an independent online platform covering grassroots activism in Russia.

As we mark , this discussion will spotlight the work of a woman journalist who has taken extraordinary personal risks to expose abuses and defend democratic values.

Chirikova is the producer of the award-winning documentary "Prisoners: System of Terror", produced with support from JHR. The film investigates Russia’s secret detention system in occupied Ukraine, documenting how Ukrainian civilians are abducted, held without charge and disappear into a network of prisons.

The documentary premiered at the European Parliament in July 2025, where it helped catalyze a parliamentary resolution condemning the use of terror in the occupied territories. Subsequent screenings, including one at Paris City Hall, have led to calls from public figures for action and the release of Ukrainian civilian prisoners. For the film’s impact, Chirikova and her team received the 2025 “Profession – Journalist” award in the Multimedia category.

Chirikova herself has faced multiple criminal cases in Russia, has been arrested in absentia and has been labelled a “foreign agent” for her reporting and advocacy.

Join us for a timely discussion on accountability journalism and the role of women reporters confronting power!

📅 : March 12, 2026

⏰ : 1:00 PM (ET)

🔗 : https://luma.com/l9nl41hw (link in bio)

03/05/2026

Sneak peek inside the JHR-Canada office: a quick brainstorm on the future of media in Canada, led by Domestic Programs Director Jordan MacInnis!

And because big conversations need fuel… swipe for a very real behind-the-scenes moment: Intl Programs Director Zein Almoghraby refuelling mid-sandwich. ✅

Address

147 Spadina Avenue
Toronto, ON
M5V2L7

Website

http://www.jhr.ca/en/donate

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