Expertise in: Advancing refugee rights and democratic governance across Asia and beyond

Gopal Krishna Siwakoti is the Founding President of INHURED International, an organization holding Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN-ECOSOC), has played a pivotal role in advancing refugee rights and democratic governance across Asia and beyond. As a frontline leader since the inception of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), he continues to shape regional advocacy efforts. He also serves as a Senior International Observer with the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), having participated in election observation missions across more than a dozen countries.

His professional engagements span guest lectures on transitional justice, forced migration, Sustainable Development Goals, refugee protection, and electoral freedom at universities and institutions worldwide. He has authored and edited numerous research publications addressing elections, migration, transitional justice, disaster response, and refugee protection.

Between 2020 and 2021, he produced five international thematic studies, including analyses on the impact of COVID-19 on elections and refugees in Asia Pacific, and the enfranchisement of absentee voters in Nepal. His more recent works (2021–2023) explore the defense of democracy and human rights in South Asia in alignment with SDG 16, the enfranchisement of external migrants and diaspora communities through out-of-country voting mechanisms, and a comparative study of regional human rights instruments. Among his emblematic publications are Beyond Border, Borderless Benevolence, and Climate Calamities: Journey to Justice for Loss & Damage, which reflect his commitment to justice, human rights, and climate resilience.

He has represented civil society perspectives at various United Nations forums, including the General Assembly, UNHCR Consultations, and Human Rights Council sessions and other relevant forums. His contributions have been recognized through numerous national and international honors, including Summit Person of the Year (2008), Global Nonviolence Advocate (2010), National Peace Award (2010), and a nomination for UNHCR’s RealLife Hero (2021). More recently, he received the Human Rights Hero Award (2022) and the National Peace and Human Rights Award (2024).