Dr Sima Samar is an international advocate for human and women’s rights. Born in Afghanistan, she is chair of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission. Dr Samar convened, established, and has chaired the Commission since 2002. From 2001-2002, Dr Samar served as Minister of Women’s Affairs for the interim administration of Afghanistan. Dr Samar returned to Afghanistan to assume this cabinet position after 17 years in Pakistan, where she founded the Shuhada Organization, which runs health and education projects for Afghan women and girls. Dr Samar was the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Sudan from 2005-2009. Dr Samar received a medical degree in 1982 from Kabul University.