Right to Freedom, a leading platform for defending democracy and human rights across South Asia, has announced a leadership transition following the resignation of its founding Executive Director, Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey.

Mushfique, who played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission over the past five years, will join Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus’ team to represent the new Bangladesh on the global stage.

Since its inception, Right to Freedom has been committed to amplifying independent voices and highlighting the challenges posed by authoritarian regimes.

Despite operating in a complex environment shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of authoritarianism, the organization has achieved significant milestones. With generous support from individual and institutional sponsors, Right to Freedom has effectively communicated the importance of human rights and democratic values to audience in South Asia and beyond.

Interim Leadership

The Right to Freedom Board is pleased to announce that Board Member Jon Danilowicz will assume the role of interim Executive Director while a search for a permanent successor is conducted. Jon brings decades of experience in diplomacy and human rights advocacy, having served as a Senior

Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Department of State with extensive leadership roles in South Asia.

Jon’s distinguished career includes serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassies in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Juba, South Sudan, as well as Principal Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Peshawar, Pakistan. He has also managed multi-million-dollar law enforcement and justice sector assistance programs in Pakistan and Panama. A former faculty member at the U.S.

Naval War College, Jon brings a wealth of strategic insight to his role at Right to Freedom.

The Board sees this transition as an opportunity to deepen its work on Bangladesh while expanding efforts across South Asia, where human rights continue to face significant threats.