Gerald Nagler, MDIF’s Board Member Emeritus, prominent human rights activist, founder of Civil Rights Defenders and Secretary General of the International Helsinki Federation, passed away on July 23, 2022, aged 92.
During his life, Gerald worked on human rights issues and supported and co-operated with NGOs in building civil societies in repressive countries in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and initiated many projects especially on independent media, the Rule of Law and minority conflicts. He was the founder and executive director, and later chairman, of the Swedish Helsinki Committee for Human Rights (later renamed to Civil Rights Defenders). Gerald also co-founded the International Helsinki Federation and served as the organization’s Secretary general for 10 years. He was awarded several times for his long-standing efforts to promote human rights.
Gerald was a member of MDIF’s Board of Directors from 2007 until 2012. Since then, he has been Board Member Emeritus. He has always been a dear friend of MDIF and will be greatly missed.
Our deepest sympathies go out to Gerald’s family, friends, and colleagues.
Civil Rights Defenders posted about Gerald’s work, including a film, here.