Mariana Katzarova

Mariana Katzarova is a distinguished expert in human rights and anti-trafficking advocacy, currently serving as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation since May 2023. As the founder of RAW in WAR, Mariana leads initiatives such as the ANNA POLITKOVSKAYA AWARD, which honors women human rights defenders. Previous roles include NORCAP Expert at the Norwegian Refugee Council, Coordinator for the OHCHR examination of human rights in Belarus, and Head of Office for the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Mariana has held senior positions at OSCE, including Senior Adviser on Anti-Trafficking Issues, and managed anti-trafficking programs at OHCHR. An accomplished academic, Mariana holds multiple degrees in journalism, international law, and human rights from prestigious institutions.