Born: 1953 (Colombo, Ceylon)
Biography:
Radhika Coomaraswamy, born on September 17, 1953, in Colombo, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), is a prominent lawyer, diplomat, and human rights advocate. Throughout her career, she has made significant contributions to promoting and protecting the rights of women and children, both in her home country and on a global stage.
Coomaraswamy’s passion for human rights was inspired by her upbringing in a family deeply committed to public service. Her father, Rajendra Coomaraswamy, was a civil servant, and her maternal grandfather, S. K. Wijeyaratnam, served as the chairman of Negombo Urban Council. These familial influences instilled in her a sense of duty towards society and an understanding of the importance of justice and equality.
After completing her education at the United Nations International School in New York City, Coomaraswamy pursued her higher studies in law. She obtained her B.A. from Yale University and went on to earn a J.D. from Columbia University. Additionally, she obtained an LL.M. from Harvard University and received honorary PhDs from prestigious institutions such as Amherst College, the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Essex, and the CUNY School of Law.
Coomaraswamy’s career in promoting human rights began when she served as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women from 1994 to 2003. During her tenure, she tirelessly advocated for women’s rights by addressing issues of violence within families, communities, and during armed conflicts. Her reports to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights shed light on these pressing issues and called for greater action and accountability.
One noteworthy aspect of Coomaraswamy’s work was her focus on the plight of comfort women, women who were forced into sexual slavery during World War II. She played a crucial role in raising awareness about their experiences, spearheading field visits to Japan and Korea and compiling a report on the issue. It is important to note that some of the claims in her report, particularly those attributed to Seiji Yoshida, were later discredited. Nonetheless, her efforts to shed light on the suffering endured by countless women during wartime contributed to a global dialogue on gender-based violence and the need for justice.
In recognition of her expertise and dedication to human rights, Coomaraswamy was appointed as the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission in May 2003. In this role, she continued to champion the cause of human rights within her own country, working to address issues of discrimination and injustice.
Coomaraswamy’s influence extended beyond national borders when she assumed the role of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict in 2006. Her appointment by Secretary-General Kofi Annan highlighted her vast knowledge and experience in advocating for the rights of children affected by conflict. In this capacity, she worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the grave violations committed against children in areas of conflict and to hold responsible parties accountable.
Throughout her illustrious career, Coomaraswamy has received numerous accolades and recognition for her tireless efforts in the field of human rights. Her contributions have been invaluable in advancing the rights of women and children around the world.
Awards:
– [Include any awards or recognitions received by Radhika Coomaraswamy, if applicable]