Every day, thousands of  human rights activists, civil society advocates, journalists, lawyers, and lawmakers head into battle. Their wars are fought in courtrooms and publishing houses, in town halls and on picket lines, on the Internet, and in the pages of independent newspapers.

They face the constant threat of harassment, arrest, imprisonment, and even violence, but their tireless efforts remain largely unappreciated by the wider world.

The profiles in "On the Front Lines" aim to shine a spotlight on the often heroic work of men and women who have dedicated their lives to the causes of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, human rights, ethnic tolerance, the environment, reconciliation, and democratic values.

New profiles will appear regularly.