Eamon Gilmore was the EU Special Representative for Human Rights (2019-2024), and the EU Special Envoy for the Peace Process in Colombia (2015-2024). He is a former Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade; he was a Member of Dail Eireann for 27 years (1989-2016), and was Leader of the Irish Labour Party for 7 years (2007-2014). Prior to his time in politics, he worked as an Industrial Official for the country's largest trade union. He is now a Senior Advisor with the European Institute of Peace, lectures on Human Rights at the European Diplomatic Academy at the College of Europe, and serves on a number of Boards, including Frontline Defenders, which works to protect Human Rights Defenders.