Deadline: November 9, 2017
Nominations are ongoing for the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders 2018. The goal of the award is to recognize the work of courageous human rights defenders, and provide protection when they are at risk. This could include physical danger, repressive legal processes, or other forms of harassment. The Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA) aims to recognize individuals, or exceptionally organisations, who are working in conditions hostile to fundamental human rights, at risk, and in need of protection.
The Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders is a unique collaboration among ten of the world’s leading human rights organizations to give protection to human rights defenders worldwide. The Award is named after Martin Ennals (1927-1991), an activist who was instrumental to the modern human rights movement and a driving force behind several organisations. His deep desire was to see more cooperation among NGOs.
Award
- Three Finalists are selected and announced early in the year. The Laureate is selected from among them. All three are invited to participate in the ceremony hosted by the city of Geneva, in late 2018.
Eligibility
- Nominees must be currently active in the promotion and protection of human rights;
- Nominations are welcome from all regions, genders, and human rights related themes. They take a broad view of what a human rights defender is;
- Special account is taken of those who combat human rights violations by courageous and innovative means.
Why does the Candidate merit the Award?
- The candidate has demonstrated integrity and commitment in the defense of the human rights enshrined in international human rights law;
- The candidate is working in front-line human rights work in conditions hostile to fundamental human rights;
- The candidate has consistently demonstrated the determination and courage to continue despite difficulties, threats and lack of local support;
- The award and the attendant international publicity and recognition are likely to benefit the candidate’s capacity to carry out her/his work;
- The candidate has an active record of combating human rights violations by innovative/creative means.
For application and more information, visit Martin Ennals Award.
