Alfredo Ortega (MPP, 2018) has been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, becoming the first Guatemalan in its 50-year history to serve on the body. In this role, he will help oversee how 175 States comply with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, one of the oldest and most important treaties for the protection of human rights.

After completing the Master of Public Policy, Alfredo returned to Guatemala to continue his career as an international human rights attorney, representing victims of serious abuses across Latin America, and advising international and multilateral organisations on questions of international law. He has represented individuals facing political persecution before international human rights mechanisms, including co-representing the then President-elect Bernardo Arévalo and Vice President-elect Karin Herrera before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, in response to serious threats against their lives and integrity.

Alongside his legal practice, he has remained engaged in broader institutional reform efforts. For example, he is currently part of a citizen-led initiative seeking to amend Guatemala's Constitution, for which he co-drafted the proposed amendment aimed at safeguarding judicial independence and strengthening judicial governance.

On his appointment to the UN Committee, Alfredo said:

“This appointment is an immense honour and a privilege to me because it brings together my professional work and the values that have shaped my life. I come from a family with a strong tradition of service, which has clearly influenced the way I understand law, public policy, and the purpose of public institutions. I take on this role with gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility, hoping to contribute my experience and a Central American perspective to the Committee.”