Diversity in Adversity: Sandrine Julien, Mauritius
Channel: UN Human Rights
Date: 12/04/2022

Episode 2 

People who work to end violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) face multiple forms of risk. They can be targeted for their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, and for being human rights defenders as well.  

Sandrine Julien is a woman human rights defender and LGBT activist who works as a consultant for the Collective for Human Rights in Mauritius. As part of her work, she accompanies LGBT people in vulnerable situations and advocates for the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships. In 2018 she was physically assaulted by family members of a woman who had requested help moving to a safe space. She has also worked extensively to ensure the safe passage of Pride events in Mauritius, which have often come under violent attack. 

Diversity in Adversity is a joint campaign by Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, and Victor Madrigal-Borloz, UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity. It will feature interviews with 10 SOGI rights defenders from all over the world; ordinary people engaged in extraordinary work.  

For more on this campaign, visit: https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/ie-sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity/diversity-adversity-stories-sogi-rights-defenders 

Credits 

Interviewee: Sandrine Julien  

Camerawork & Video Editing: Sandrine Julien 

Post-production: Amina Muniz & Virginia Pitzer  

Motion Design: Raquel Pinheiro  

Campaign coordination: Alexandre Leal & Fiachra Bourke 

The views expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect the views of the mandate holders or the United Nations.