Thomas Hammarberg was born on 2nd January 1942 in Örnsköldsvik. He is a Swedish diplomat, politician, teacher and former journalist. From 2006 to 2012, he was the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights.

In the 1960s, Hammarberg fought for Roma rights in Sweden, together with Katarina Taikon, Rosa Taikon and Hans Caldaras and he has continued to this day. In 1970, he published the book Förlåt att vi stör! om zigenska flyktingar (Forgive us for bothering you! On Gypsy refugees), together with Katarina Taikon.

Hammarberg was chairperson of Amnesty International’s Swedish section 1970-1974 and Secretary-General of Amnesty International 1980-1986. He received the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Amnesty International, in 1977. From 1986 to 1992 he was the Secretary General of Save the Children in Sweden. He was the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan’s Special Representative (SRSG) for Human Rights in Cambodia (1996 – 2000) and UN Human Rights Counsellor in Europe, Central Asia and Caucasus, 2001 – 2003. Hammarberg was the General Secretary for the Olof Palmes International Centre, 2002 – 2005. He was chairperson of the Swedish government’s commission against antiziganism, 2014 – 2016.

He is currently active in a network that supports impoverished EU citizens, many of whom are Roma, that beg on the streets. He has written a number of books and articles on human rights, especially on issues relating to children, refugees, minorities, xenophobia and Roma.