Front Line Defenders Named Winner of 2018 United Nations Human Rights Prize

Front Line Defenders is profoundly honoured to be recognized by the United Nations in being named one of the four winners of the 2018 United Nations Human Rights Prize as announced by President of the General Assembly today in New York. Front Line Defenders congratulates the other three winners, Ms. Rebeca Gyumi (Tanzania), Ms. Joênia Wapichana (Joênia Batista de Carvalho) (Brazil) and the family of Ms. Asma Jahangir (Pakistan), who passed away earlier this year

Read the Press Release by the
President of the UN General Assembly

Front Line Defenders dedicates this Prize to human rights defenders at risk (HRDs) around the world, who struggle every day to advance and defend the rights for their communities. In its work in providing resources for the protection and security of HRDs, Front Line Defenders has worked with incredibly brave and resilient activists, who inspire and shine a light in often dark places.

“We are hugely honoured to receive this prize,” said Andrew Anderson, Executive Director of Front Line Defenders. “As we approach the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, we must redouble our efforts to protect those who risk their lives in the pursuit of justice and dignity. This recognition will help Front Line Defenders bring attention to the important work human rights defenders undertake at great personal risk.”

In particular, Front Line Defenders is grateful to Ms. Hina Jilani for her nomination of the organization for the Prize. Ms. Jilani is the sister of fellow Prize winner Ms. Jahangir, thus making this moment even more poignant. Ms. Jilani is herself a courageous, dedicated and determined human rights defender who served as the first Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Human Rights Defenders (2000-2008). To receive this prize, which also serves as an important and fitting memorial to Ms. Jahangir, is humbling to Front Line Defenders. The work of Ms. Guyumi to advance the rights of women and girls in Tanzania and that of Ms. Wapichana to defend the rights of indigenous peoples in Brazil is inspiring.

Simon Coveney, Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, said (via Twitter), “Proud to see [Front Line Defenders] honored as they work to protect human rights defenders in the most dangerous & challenging parts of the world.”

Front Line Defenders was founded in 2001 to provide rapid and practical support for the security and protection for human rights defenders at risk, including protection grants; training and capacity building in physical and digital security and strategic communications/visibility; international advocacy; rest and respite; emergency hotline for HRDs in imminent danger; and campaigning. Each year, Front Line Defenders provides support to over 4,000 HRDs at risk around the world.

Download the Front Line Defenders
Press Release

For more information, please visit: www.frontlinedefenders.org

For interviews or questions, please contact:

Adam Shapiro
Head of Communications & Visibility
adam@frontlinedefenders.org
+1-202-294-8813

Erin Kilbride
Media Coordinator
erin@frontlinedefenders.org
erin@frontlinedefenders.org
+353-85-742-3767