IBA Human Rights Award 2010
Biennially, the IBA presents an award to an outstanding lawyer in the world of human rights law.
We are seeking your nominations for the 2010 award.
In June of 1995 the International Bar Association introduced the Bernard Simons Memorial Award, a prize awarded to honour the memory, endeavours and achievements of the late London solicitor, Bernard Simons. The award recognises personal endeavours in the practice of criminal law which make a substantial contribution to the promotion, protection and advancement of human rights. The next winner will be presented with the award at a showcase session during the IBA Annual Conference in Vancouver, Canada in October 2010.
The IBA is keen to ensure that the maximum number possible of high-calibre nominations are presented for consideration by the judging panel.
Entry is open to both IBA members and non-members, and nominations close on 28 March 2010. The winner will be notified in July to allow time for the IBA to make arrangements for the winner to attend, as the guest of the IBA, the Vancouver conference, which runs from 3-8 October 2010.
Criteria for Candidature
To qualify for nomination the following criteria must be met by candidates:
- The nominee must be a practitioner who, through personal endeavour in the course of the practice of criminal law, is judged to have made a substantial personal contribution to the promotion, protection and advancement of the human rights of all or any group of people, particularly their right to live in fair and just society under the rule of law.
- It will be relevant, but not essential, that such endeavour will have had an international influence.
- At the time of judging, s/he must be a legal practitioner.
Who would you nominate?
To make a nomination, use our online form or email Nell Stevens Human Rights Communications Administrator (nell.stevens@int-bar.org).
Previous Winners
2008 Femi Falana, Nigeria. Presented with the award as recognition of his commitment to the legal profession and the promotion of human rights, and the signifi cant impact in increasing access to justice and ending the culture of impunity in the West Africa region.
2006 Maria Inés Miranda Navarro, Spain. Presented with the Award for her dedication in promoting and protecting human rights in the disputed territories of Western Sahara.
2004 George Bizos, South Africa. Presented with the Award for his outstanding contribution to human rights law in South Africa. Nelson Mandela, one of the many who nominated Mr Bizos said, ‘I know of no person more worthy for this honour’.
2002 Pheroze Nowrojee, Kenya. Presented with the Award for his work in defence of capital punishment cases and abolishment of the death penalty in Kenya and Tanzania and his representation of both individuals and organisations in cases concerned with a diverse range of human rights issues.
2000 Asma Jahangir, Pakistan. Presented with the Award for her work to promote and protect human rights in Pakistan and for her promotion of human rights.
1998 Chief Gani Fawehinmi.
1997 Lucy Banda Sichone.
1995 Saul Lehfreund.