the award with flowers

Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award

Each year we give the Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award to a prominent human rights defender who, despite to their own safety, continues the struggle for civil and political rights.

See all award recipients
A two part image with the Civil Rights Defender of the Year Awardees Nestan, Netgazeti and Henry, La Hora de Cuba.

Two news platforms that refuse to be silenced

At some newsrooms, the day begins by opening emails. At others, it begins by mapping risks. This is the everyday reality for the independent news platforms Netgazeti in Georgia and La Hora de Cuba in Cuba, who are awarded this year’s Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award 2026.

For them, independent journalism means taking daily risks in environments where those in power respond to scrutiny with threats, harassment and prison sentences. Yet they continue to report. Every day.

Read more about this year's recipients

All Award Recipients

A two part image with the Civil Rights Defender of the Year Awardees Nestan, Netgazeti and Henry, La Hora de Cuba.

Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award 2026 – the news outlets Netgazeti and La Hora de Cuba

  • Award, Cuba, Georgia, News
  • 29 April 2026

Two news platforms that refuse to be silenced  At some newsrooms, the day begins…
Mazen Darwish and Yara Bader from the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression

Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award 2025 – Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression

  • Award, MENA, News
  • 23 April 2025

This year’s Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award goes to the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom …

Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award 2024 – Mariia Sulialina

  • Award, News, Ukraine
  • 25 April 2024

This year’s Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award goes to Mariia Sulialina, head of the Ukra…

Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award 2023 – Foro Penal

  • Award, Latin America, News, Venezuela
  • 25 April 2023

The influential Venezuelan legal organisation Foro Penal has been awarded the Civil Rights Defender …
All past recipients
Hanna to hand over the award 2023

About the Award

The Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award is an award for outstanding work in defence of civil and political rights. It is awarded every year by Civil Rights Defenders. With the award, we recognise a prominent human rights defender who, despite the risk to their own safety, continues the struggle for civil and political rights. The award highlights the situation of human rights defenders at risk. It enhances their human rights work by providing international recognition and support to the award recipient.

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