The Donia Human Rights Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Hala Al-Karib, Regional Director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA), as the inaugural holder of the Raoul Wallenberg Human Rights Practitioner Fellowship. She will be joining the University of Michigan community in January 2026 for the Winter semester.

Al-Karib has dedicated her life to the cause of human rights in Africa.  Her work is focused on women's rights, social justice, and equal citizenship in the Horn of Africa and Eastern Africa (particularly Sudan and South Sudan).  Her expertise spans advocacy, conflict resolution, research, capacity building, policy engagement, and feminist organizing, making her a leading voice in fighting for legal reforms and amplifying women’s voices in revolutions and post-war transitions.

"I have been an activist for over 20 years, focusing on human rights, as well as women's and children's rights, in the complex region of Sudan and throughout the Horn and Eastern Africa. I have coordinated and led community organizations' advocacy work and action research, informing governments and policymakers about the importance of emphasizing justice and accountability, as established in international law, and how a functioning justice system can contribute to stabilizing our countries. However, my colleagues and I are increasingly facing challenges in this endeavour. I am profoundly appreciative of the fellowship with the Donia Human Rights Center-International Institute, as it offers me  an opportunity to re-engage with foundational knowledge, reevaluate my analyses and techniques, reflect and communicate, and acquire new insights."

Steven Ratner, Director of the Donia Human Rights Center and Bruno Simma Collegiate Professor of Law, had this to say about Al-Karib’s appointment:

“Hala Al-Karib is the ideal human rights practitioner to inaugurate the new Wallenberg Fellowship at the Donia Center.  She was selected from an enormous field of advocates from around the world based on her tremendous commitment and achievements.  We look forward to her engagement with our activities and with other communities, institutions, and stakeholders around the campus.”  

The Center is excited to welcome Ms. Al-Karib, and we know that she will lend an invaluable perspective to the Donia Human Rights Center and the rest of the university community.  To learn more about her appointment and her work please reach out to umichhumanrights@umich.edu.

The program is funded by the Raoul Wallenberg Medal Endowment, established in 1985. This endowment funds the annual University of Michigan Raoul Wallenberg Medal and Lecture, which is administered by the Donia Human Rights Center. 

Established in 2016 through a generous donation from Robert J. Donia (MA '74, PhD ’76, History) and his wife, Jane Ritter, the Donia Human Rights Center is the University’s focal point for intellectual exchange on issues around human rights among scholars, practitioners, students, and the broader public. It aims to promote deeper understanding of human rights issues in the contemporary world and to equip its stakeholders with the tools to tackle challenging human rights problems around the world. In addition to the Wallenberg Medal and Lecture, its programming includes a monthly speaker series, an annual Martin Luther King Jr. lecture, an undergraduate fellows program, and funding for undergraduate summer internships and graduate student research grants.