Human rights defender Catherine Constantinides is going to participate in the Sahara Marathon

South African’s Catherine Constantinides, an internationally renowned climate activist and human rights defender is going to participate in the 2019 Sahara Marathon taking place February 26.

She is no stranger to challenge and adventure and she has set her mind firmly on participating in this year’s desert run. She serves on the Saharawi Human Rights Council and has been travelling back and forth to the refugee camps over the past five years. She is participating in the Sahara Marathon to raise awareness and honor the Saharawi freedom fighters and victims of landmines in the region. 

According to various estimates there are still between 5-20 10 Million landmines still in the Sahara, “Western Sahara is one of the most contaminated territories in the world,” the UN Mine Action Service says on its website. Landmines and explosive remnants of war “remain widespread” and “there is very limited information available regarding the location of hazardous areas”, it warns. 

The aim of the Sahara Marathon held in the Sahara Desert every year since 2001 was designed to demonstrate solidarity with the Saharawi people. 

Constantinides has been actively engaged in highlighting causes across the continent linked to climate change and human rights for more than a decade.  She says this is certainly the biggest physical challenge she has ever committed to and has already begun preparing for the upcoming marathon. 

Constantinides’ active humanitarian work in the Saharawi Refugee Camps over the past five years has brought international awareness to this more than 43-year-old conflict. Now she runs in the sand for a people who continue to fight for self-determination and justice.

posted Wednesday February 13th