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Justice Defenders would not exist without Dr. Anne Merriman—our Trustee, Mentor, Founding Inspiration.
A pioneering force in palliative care, Dr Anne brought relief, dignity, and love to thousands across Africa—founding Hospice Africa Uganda and transforming end-of-life care for the most defenceless.
Dr Anne was a force for dignity and compassion, believing none should suffer or die alone. Her conviction, love, and unwavering belief in human dignity shaped countless lives, not least our Founder Alexander McLean, whom she welcomed as a teenage volunteer at the Kampala hospice. It was through that experience—offering care to the sick and dying—that Alexander first met prisoners. That encounter changed his life and laid the foundation for Justice Defenders.
Dr. Anne Merriman was more than a trustee to Justice Defenders and a mentor to many of us—she was a moral compass. Unflinching in her belief that love belongs in every system, she showed the world that even when all hope for life seems lost, people can still be cared for with dignity, and die feeling loved.
We were honoured to take part in her funeral on 21 May 2025, and to celebrate her remarkable life with prayers and song—the same hymns she and Alexander once sang together while caring for the dying, long before Justice Defenders was born.
Her legacy lives on in every life we serve, in every act of dignity we defend. We walk forward in her spirit—with gratitude, courage, and love.
Rest in peace, Dr Anne.
You remain with us, always.