The Secretariat is in charge of implementing the Executive Board’s decisions and of ensuring the daily functioning of the organisation.
Geneva Headquarters
Mona M'Bikay - Executive Director
Mona M’Bikay joined UPR Info in September 2017 as the new Executive Director. Mona M'Bikay is a human rights lawyer with 20 years of working experience acquired at both national (Swiss Federal Office of Justice and Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Law Firms and Administrative Tribunal in Geneva) and at international level (UN OHCHR, Regional Office for Southern Africa, UNDP Bangladesh, Rights and Development Consultancy).
Her expertise includes human rights and sustainable development, gender equality, democratic governance, rule of law, business and human rights and public international law. She has a vast experience developing capacities of various national partners to advocate for the respect of human rights.
She holds a Law degree from the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, a Master in International Studies with specialisation in International Law from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, a Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution Skills from the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies at Coventry University, United Kingdom and a Diploma in Sustainable Development and Human Rights from the Human Rights Centre, University for Peace, San Jose, Costa Rica.
She is fluent in French and English and has good knowledge of Dutch and German.
She is a passionate runner and mother of two children.
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Mona M’Bikay joined UPR Info in September 2017 as the new Executive Director. Mona M'Bikay is a human rights lawyer with 20 years of working experience acquired at both national (Swiss Federal Office of Justice and Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Law Firms and Administrative Tribunal in Geneva) and at international level (UN OHCHR, Regional Office for Southern Africa, UNDP Bangladesh, Rights and Development Consultancy).Her expertise includes human rights and sustainable development, gender equality, democratic governance, rule of law, business and human rights and public international law. She has a vast experience developing capacities of various national partners to advocate for the respect of human rights.
She holds a Law degree from the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland, a Master in International Studies with specialisation in International Law from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, a Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution Skills from the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies at Coventry University, United Kingdom and a Diploma in Sustainable Development and Human Rights from the Human Rights Centre, University for Peace, San Jose, Costa Rica.
She is fluent in French and English and has good knowledge of Dutch and German.
She is a passionate runner and mother of two children.
m.mbikay
upr-info.org
Hans Fridlund - Programme Manager
Hans joined UPR Info as In-country Programme Manager in March 2016. Previously, he worked extensively on strengthening the capacity of national NGOs and advancing domestic human rights implementation, paying particular attention to minority rights. He first got acquainted with Geneva through his position with WFUNA where he conducted human rights trainings for member organisations in parallel to engaging with the Human Rights Council. Hans holds an M.A. in Human Rights from the University of Essex and his dissertation addressed the charge on the universal application of human rights from proponents of cultural relativism.Hans has a keen interest in human rights realisation on the ground and values the impact local experiences have on global efforts to promote and protect human rights. He speaks Swedish, English and basic German.
Follow Hans on Twitter: @hfridlund
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upr-info.orgNargiz Arupova - Programme Manager
Nargiz has joined UPR Info in July 2017 as a Programme Manager. She has extensively worked on international human rights, development and rule of law. Prior to joining UPR Info, she has worked at the Geneva Center for Democratic Control of Armed Forces where she contributed on monitoring the capacity building of National Human Rights Institutions and on enhancing the good practices of parliamentary oversight of the security sector. Moreover, she has worked at the Geneva Infant Feeding Association and the International Institute for Humanitarian Law.Nargiz holds an LL.M. in Public International Law from Leiden University and an LL.B. in European Law from Maastricht University. She speaks fluently Russian, French, English and has good knowledge of German.
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upr-info.orgLaura Sinner - Programme Assistant
Laura has joined UPR Info in January 2018 as an intern and is now working as a Programmes’ Assistant. She holds a B.A in International Relations and a M.A in European Studies from the University of Geneva with a specialisation in Economics and Politics. Prior to joining UPR Info, she has worked as an intern at the Zurich-based think tank Avenir Suisse by assisting in communication, translation, logistics and research.She is particularly interested in parliamentary oversight of the respect of human rights and parliamentarians’ role in strengthening human rights in general. Laura speaks fluently French, English and German and has basic knowledge of Portuguese.
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upr-info.orgNicoletta Zappile - Programme Manager
Nicoletta joined UPR Info in July 2018 as Programme Manager. Prior to joining UPR Info, she worked at the International Commission of Jurists first as Development Officer (from 2013-2018) and then also as Project Officer for the ICJ Global Redress and Accountability Initiative for gross human rights violations (2017-2018). She started her career as a journalist and Digital Editor of The Global Journal, an international affairs focused media start-up based in Geneva.Nicoletta holds a LL.M. in International Humanitarian Law from the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and a MAS in International Relations with a specialization in international law from the University of Florence. She speaks Italian, English and French.
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upr-info.orgSaïda Laurent - Finance and Administration Officer
Saïda joined UPR Info in January 2018 as Human Resources and Finance Manager. Prior to joining UPR Info, she worked at the International Commission of Jurists first as a Finance Officer for the Legal & Policy Office and the Africa Regional Program and after as a Finance and Payroll Officer (from 2016-2018). Previously, she was a Regional Budget Coordinator for the Regional Health Agency in Lyon (2013-2014) and for Médecins Sans Frontières in Central African Republic, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo as a Field Human Resources and Finance Manager, and as a Human Resources Coordinator (2009-2012). She started her career in 2004, as a Professor in High School in Paris (Health and Social management), and as an Events Project Manager for Coach Communication Group based in Paris, Lyon and Toulouse.Saïda holds a Master of Human Resources and Finance Manager from l’Institut Bioforce in Lyon, and a Bachelor of Human Sciences in Montpellier. She speaks French and English, and her mother tongue Amazigh (Berber).
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Ashleigh Shields - Programme Manager
Ashleigh joined UPR Info in September 2018 as Programme Manager of the Pre-Sessions Programme. She has experience working in both government and non-profit sectors on issues related to human rights and conflict, including for Global Affairs Canada in Paris and Geneva, and the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France.
Ashleigh holds an M.A. in War Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada where she studied as a civilian graduate student, as well as a B.A. Honours from Queen’s University, with a specialization in Political Studies and History. She is fluent in English and French and has a good knowledge of Spanish.
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Ashleigh joined UPR Info in September 2018 as Programme Manager of the Pre-Sessions Programme. She has experience working in both government and non-profit sectors on issues related to human rights and conflict, including for Global Affairs Canada in Paris and Geneva, and the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy, France.Ashleigh holds an M.A. in War Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada where she studied as a civilian graduate student, as well as a B.A. Honours from Queen’s University, with a specialization in Political Studies and History. She is fluent in English and French and has a good knowledge of Spanish.
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Africa Regional Office
Gilbert Onyango - Regional Director
Mr. Gilbert Onyango graduated in 1999 with an LL.B Degree from Dr. BAM University, Aurangabad, India and was admitted to the Kenyan Bar in 2002. He is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public. In 2008, Gilbert graduated from the United States International University, Africa (USIU-A) with a Master’s of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Management and Organisational Development. In 2012, Gilbert graduated with a Masters of Arts (M.A.) Degree in Development Studies with major in Human Rights, Development and Social Justice from the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University, Rotterdam.
Gilbert joined The CRADLE-The Children’s Foundation in 2002 where he rose to the position of Deputy Director. Between June and December, 2010, he worked as Regional Deputy Director for the Canadian Bar Association’s Strengthening Access to Justice in Eastern Africa (SAJEA) Programme in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In May, 2010, he founded The East African Centre for Human Rights (EACHRights) where he where served as Regional Director from December, 2010 to May, 2015. Mr. Onyango joined UPR Info in 2015 as the Africa Regional Coordinator and is now Africa Regional Director.
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Mr. Gilbert Onyango graduated in 1999 with an LL.B Degree from Dr. BAM University, Aurangabad, India and was admitted to the Kenyan Bar in 2002. He is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, Commissioner for Oaths and Notary Public. In 2008, Gilbert graduated from the United States International University, Africa (USIU-A) with a Master’s of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Management and Organisational Development. In 2012, Gilbert graduated with a Masters of Arts (M.A.) Degree in Development Studies with major in Human Rights, Development and Social Justice from the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University, Rotterdam.Gilbert joined The CRADLE-The Children’s Foundation in 2002 where he rose to the position of Deputy Director. Between June and December, 2010, he worked as Regional Deputy Director for the Canadian Bar Association’s Strengthening Access to Justice in Eastern Africa (SAJEA) Programme in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In May, 2010, he founded The East African Centre for Human Rights (EACHRights) where he where served as Regional Director from December, 2010 to May, 2015. Mr. Onyango joined UPR Info in 2015 as the Africa Regional Coordinator and is now Africa Regional Director.
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Koffi Leon Kouame - Programme Officer
Koffi joined UPR Info Regional Office for Africa in September 2017 as a Programme Officer. Prior to this, Koffi Co-Founded and served at the Ivorian Observatory for Human Rights (OIDH) as Secretary General and Associate Researcher, where his duties included investigating conditions of arrest and pretrial detention in Côte d’Ivoire.
Koffi previously worked with Actions for the Protections of Human Rights (APDH) in Abidjan, where he provided legal assistance to the victims of the Ivorian crisis and conducted investigations which resulted in the publication of several reports including ‘’La Justice nous a oubliés’’ (2013). He has also worked for the African Union Election Observation Mission in Comoros and for CIVICUS in Geneva, Switzerland.
Koffi holds a Bachelor in English Literature from the University Felix Houphouët Boigny of Abidjan and his interests lie down in the protection of Human Rights, in promoting democracy good governance, and particularly strengthening civic space for Human Rights Defender to carry out social changes.
Koffi is a national of Côte d’Ivoire and speaks French and English.
Follow Koffi on twitter: @leonkk77
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Fredrick Kinama- Finance and Administrative Officer
Mr. Fredrick Kinama is a Certified Public Accountant in Kenya. He is a finance professional with over 10 years Experience in NGO finance and administration management.
Previously, Fredrick worked at Tearfund-UK as Finance advisor - West Africa region team; Project accountant at Aga-Khan Foundation East Africa; Finance and administration Consultant USDA/USAID; Assistant Finance Officer University of Missouri assistance Program.
He also has worked in different African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Zanzibar and Liberia. Fredrick holds a Bachelor's degree in Business administration from SMCU, 3 year diploma in Business management from Sigalagala TTI in addition to being a Certified Public Accountant Kenya from Kenya College of Accountancy University.
Koffi joined UPR Info Regional Office for Africa in September 2017 as a Programme Officer. Prior to this, Koffi Co-Founded and served at the Ivorian Observatory for Human Rights (OIDH) as Secretary General and Associate Researcher, where his duties included investigating conditions of arrest and pretrial detention in Côte d’Ivoire.Koffi previously worked with Actions for the Protections of Human Rights (APDH) in Abidjan, where he provided legal assistance to the victims of the Ivorian crisis and conducted investigations which resulted in the publication of several reports including ‘’La Justice nous a oubliés’’ (2013). He has also worked for the African Union Election Observation Mission in Comoros and for CIVICUS in Geneva, Switzerland.
Koffi holds a Bachelor in English Literature from the University Felix Houphouët Boigny of Abidjan and his interests lie down in the protection of Human Rights, in promoting democracy good governance, and particularly strengthening civic space for Human Rights Defender to carry out social changes.
Koffi is a national of Côte d’Ivoire and speaks French and English.
Follow Koffi on twitter: @leonkk77
k.kouame
upr-info.orgFredrick Kinama- Finance and Administrative Officer
Mr. Fredrick Kinama is a Certified Public Accountant in Kenya. He is a finance professional with over 10 years Experience in NGO finance and administration management.Previously, Fredrick worked at Tearfund-UK as Finance advisor - West Africa region team; Project accountant at Aga-Khan Foundation East Africa; Finance and administration Consultant USDA/USAID; Assistant Finance Officer University of Missouri assistance Program.
He also has worked in different African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Zanzibar and Liberia. Fredrick holds a Bachelor's degree in Business administration from SMCU, 3 year diploma in Business management from Sigalagala TTI in addition to being a Certified Public Accountant Kenya from Kenya College of Accountancy University.
f.kinamaupr-info.org
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