Eleanor Sanders
Biography
Eleanor took up her post as Human Rights Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative in Geneva in August 2024.
Eleanor was most recently Deputy Ambassador to Italy (2019 to 2024). Prior to that she filled a number of foreign policy roles in the FCO (now FCDO) and Cabinet Office, focused mainly on Russia, the Middle East, multilateral and international security issues. She has covered 2 diplomatic roles in Moscow and was the former Head of the FCO’s Syria Unit. She speaks Italian, Japanese and Russian.
Social media
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Ambassador for Human Rights and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva
The UK’s Ambassador for Human Rights exists to defend and advance human rights and democracy globally. Promoting human rights and the rule of law is fundamental to maintaining stability and preventing conflict and is therefore at the heart of the UK’s interests.
The Ambassador for Human Rights has 3 main objectives:
- protecting and promoting human rights within the multilateral system, including at the United Nations Human Rights Council
- working in partnership with countries to support and advance human rights
- promoting other human rights campaigns in support of the UK’s international priorities
The Ambassador engages with civil society and human rights defenders. Through country missions, she engages with states, human rights institutions and other international partners to champion positive progress made by states, encourage advances and identify areas for collaboration and partnership to support protections and promotion of human rights within those countries.