In 1977, Theo van Boven became the United Nations' Director of Human Rights, a position that brought him face to face with the diplomats of some of the most repressive dictatorships of the 20th century. Van Boven was the first to open the doors of the UN to refugees and torture survivors from around the world, leading to confrontations not only with Latin American dictators but also the Reagan administration and the UN's Secretary-General.
Van Boven continued with his endeavors as a UN Relator against torture, investigating the claims made in Spain in the mid 2000s.
This is the story of a man and of the human rights defenders who inspired him in his fight against injustice.