Irene Khan

secretary general, Amnesty International

Irene Khan has had a lifelong career as a human rights activist, an interest which began during her youth in Bangladesh, watching the human rights abuses that occurred during that nation's struggle for independence. Since then she has helped create the international development and relief organization Concern Universal, which worked in cooperation with Children in Crossfire. She has also worked with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and as of 2001 has served as the Secretary General for Amnesty International.