Shawan Jabarin
شعوان جبارين
Born: Sa'ir, Palestine
Domain: Civil Society & Religion
Recognition: GLOBAL
Biography
Shawan Jabarin, born near Hebron around 1960, is a leading Palestinian human rights defender and the long-serving General Director of Al-Haq, the pioneering human rights organization based in Ramallah. Under his leadership, Al-Haq has become one of the most authoritative documenters of violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in the occupied Palestinian territory. Jabarin has guided Al-Haq's work in legal accountability, including engagement with international mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. His advocacy has helped bring Palestinian human rights documentation into the heart of international legal proceedings. His work has come at significant personal cost. He has repeatedly faced travel bans imposed by Israeli authorities, restrictions that have drawn condemnation from international human rights bodies and led to a notable Israeli high court case concerning his freedom of movement. In 2021 Israel designated several Palestinian rights groups, including Al-Haq, as 'terrorist organizations,' a move widely rejected by international human rights organizations and many governments. Jabarin serves on the boards and commissions of major international human rights bodies, including roles connected to Human Rights Watch and the International Commission of Jurists, reflecting the respect he commands in the global human rights community. As the steward of Al-Haq across decades of pressure, Jabarin embodies the resilience of Palestinian civil society and the principle that documentation and law are essential tools in the pursuit of justice.
Why This Person Matters
Jabarin has led Al-Haq for decades under intense pressure, making it a globally authoritative voice in documenting Palestinian human rights and pursuing legal accountability.