Fiorentina Azizi-Hacker

Fiorentina is human rights lawyer in Austria, heading the Counselling Centres of the NGO ZARA. She is a member of the Austrian Human Rights Advisory Council and of the Independent Advisory Board of the Office for Investigations regarding allegations of police mistreatment. Her previous work for the OSCE in Albania and in Azerbaijan allowed her a multi-facetted approach to judicial reform and access to justice for all. Seconded to the Argentine Ministry of Justice, she worked on prison reform and restorative justice mechanisms for children. She also dealt with handling the aftermath of mass crimes and violence in her work for the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and for Rwanda, and the Austrian General Settlement Fund for Victims of National Socialism.

Women in law play a vital role in shaping a fair and just society. Their unique perspectives and diverse experiences enrich the legal profession, ensuring that laws and policies reflect the realities of all individuals. This is especially important for women who face multiple forms of discrimination—whether due to race, socioeconomic status, or other factors— whose unique perspectives are essential in shaping a truly equitable legal system. Recognizing and addressing intersectionality within the legal profession ensures that justice is not one-dimensional, but rather, inclusive of all voices. By empowering women from diverse backgrounds, we foster a legal environment where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive, creating a fairer and more representative system for everyone.

photo ©Fiorentina_Azizi-Hacker