Nayyab Ali of Pakistan is the first transgender woman to be shortlisted for the position of UN special rapporteur.

In a historic move, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has formally shortlisted Nayyab Ali, a well-known human rights advocate and policy specialist from Pakistan, for the post of UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.

Nayyab Ali told APP here on Wednesday that the acknowledgment reaffirms the UN’s dedication to inclusion and equality.

This recognition serves as a reminder that universality and respect for all people are principles that the UN upholds. “If appointed, my goal is to improve protections for human rights defenders around the world, particularly those from gender-diverse communities who are subjected to violence and marginalization,” she said.

The Special Consultative Group, which is made up of representatives from Malawi, the Republic of Korea, North Macedonia, Guatemala, and Turkey, will lead the next selection process. It will suggest candidates to the President of the Human Rights Council for final appointment during the 61st Session.

Nayyab is a Global Human Rights Fellow at Harvard University’s Carr Center and the Executive Director of Transgender Rights Consultants Pakistan.

She has won seven international honors, including the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law (2020), and was instrumental in the creation of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018.

The shortlisting, she continued, is being celebrated as a landmark for transgender visibility and inclusion in the UN system as well as a historic accomplishment for Pakistan.

A significant step toward inclusiveness and representation in global governance, this is the first time a transgender woman has ever been considered for a high-level position under the UN Special Procedures system.