IBA Human Rights Award 2010
Biennially, the IBA presents an award to an outstanding lawyer in the world of human rights law.
The International Bar Association award for outstanding contribution by a legal practitioner to human rights recognizes personal endeavour in the field of law which makes an outstanding contribution to the promotion, protection and advancement of human rights and the rule of law. The next winner will be presented with the award during the IBA Annual Conference in Vancouver, Canada in 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?
Please note that nominations for the 2010 award are now closed. The award will be presented to the winner on Friday 8th October at the IBA's annual conference in Vancouver.
Previous Winners
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.
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.