My posts tend to be about Human Rights Defenders at risk but this time I want to draw your attention to a great promoter of human rights in the Netherlands who recently passed away at the relatively young age of 60: Kees Bleichrodt.
This Dutchman started in the 70s as an AI volunteer and in 1978 he became their Coordinator for refugees and in 1986 deputy director.
As from 1989, for more than 20 years, he led the University Asylum Fund (UAF) which helps thousands of refugees to study and find jobs. He was a driven, hardworking man who modernised and developed the organisation enormously. He took great pride in the success of ‘his’ refugee students and described his own job as the ‘most beautiful job in the Netherlands’. He was a real networker who stayed active in other NGOs, including Scholars at Risk. Condolences can be left at:
http://www.uaf.nl
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 
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