Ketty Nivyabandi

Ketty serves as Secretary General for Amnesty International Canada’s English-Speaking section. She oversees the domestic and international human rights mandate of the organisation and acts as its lead representative. A global human rights activist and advocate, Ketty holds in-depth expertise and lived experience in forced displacement, human rights defenders at risk, civic space in conflict and political transitions, and the global intersections of gender, race, and human rights. Prior to seeking asylum in Canada in 2015, she braved police violence as the lead organizer of women’s peaceful protests for democratic change in her country, Burundi. In her previous roles, Ketty has led research, advocacy, and communications strategies with women peace activists in several conflict and post conflict countries, including Syria, Yemen, South Sudan, Myanmar, Uganda, and Guatemala. Her work is rooted in peoplepower, public accountability, and a feminist, decolonial approach to human rights. Ketty studied International Relations, is a former journalist, and published poet. She lives in Ottawa with her two teenage daughters.