James Savage

James Savage (LinkedIn) leads the Enabling Environment for Human Rights Defenders Program at the Fund for Global Human Rights (FGHR). Through a mix of grantmaking, technical assistance, documentation and learning, and advocacy, the program supports human rights defenders globally to protect and promote civil society, civic space, and the right to defend human rights.

Prior to joining FGHR in 2016, James worked for 17 years at Amnesty International UK, including managing the Individuals at Risk and Human Rights Defenders Programs. He became involved in human rights activism in 1994 with Peace Brigades International (PBI), taking a variety of roles working in PBI’s UK national group and International Office, and from 2002 to 2003 as a field volunteer for PBI in Colombia, accompanying and supporting human rights defenders at risk from intimidation, stigmatization, or attack.

James holds a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies from the Institute of Latin American Studies at the University of London and sits on the Advisory Board of the Centre for Applied Human Rights at the University of York (UK). He has co-edited two special issues of academic journals on security and the protection of human rights defenders, and authored articles and blogs for media including The Guardian, OpenGlobalRights, Alliance magazine, and openDemocracy.