Sarah Aird

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Biographical Information

"As Co-Director for the environmental justice coalition Californians for Pesticide Reform, Sarah brings a keen interest in the intersection between the environment and human rights to Amnesty's Board. Actively involved in social justice and environmental issues for more than a decade, Sarah worked for four years as Executive Director of the Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA) and as Policy and Legal Director of Amazon Watch, where she led efforts to support human rights and environmental justice in the Americas. Under her leadership, NISGUA challenged neoliberal initiatives, such as the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and provided support for Guatemalan indigenous communities of massacre survivors charging former dictators with genocide...

"Other relevant experiences have included working as a project consultant for Friends of the Earth's Clean Vessels and Clean Cars Campaigns; conducting research for the War Crimes Research Office at the Washington College of Law, American University; assisting preparation of cases with the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL) for argument before the Inter-American Commission and Court of Human Rights; and conducting pro bono work for organizations such as the Center for Justice and Accountability, the Center for Human Rights Legal Action (CALDH) in Guatemala, the UC Hastings' Center for Gender and Refugee Studies, Courage to Resist, and the 3145 Mt. Pleasant Street Tenants Association. An attorney, Sarah has practiced in the international human rights and immigration fields and has more limited experience in environmental law.

"Sarah first became involved with AIUSA in high school, and most recently was engaged with Amnesty as one of two Country Specialists on Guatemala. She joined Amnesty International USA's Board in June 2009 and was a member of the Nominating Committee and Deputy Treasurer for 2010-2011. Currently, she's co-Board liaison to the Western Region and Board liaison to the Business and Human Rights thematic group."