IBA Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights
Application details
Each year, the IBA presents an award to an outstanding lawyer in the world of human rights law.
The IBA has always been dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights and the independence of the legal profession under a just rule of law. The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) was established in 1995 under the honorary presidency of Nelson Mandela. The IBAHRI is an independent entity within the Public and Professional Interest Division (PPID) of the IBA. The Section on Public and Professional Interest (SPPI) sits within the PPID and within that entity, there is also a Human Rights Committee.
The award will be made to a legal practitioner (whether in private practice, public interest, employment as a legal adviser, academia, bar leadership or other regulation of the profession) who, through personal endeavour in the course of such practice, is deemed to have made an outstanding contribution to the promotion, protection and advancement of the human rights of all, or any group of, people, particularly with respect to their right to live in a fair and just society under the rule of law.
2026 Recipient
Zar Li Aye, a lawyer and human rights defender from Myanmar’s Indigenous Chin community, has been honoured by the International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, with the 2026 IBA Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights. Ms Aye received the Award during the 2026 IBA Annual Conference, in Copenhagen, in recognition of her commitment to advancing legal reform.
Ms Aye commented: ‘Receiving the IBA Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights Award is a profound honour. Coming from a triple-minority background through my ethnicity, gender and faith, becoming a lawyer gave me the opportunity to transform my experiences into a commitment to challenge injustice. Throughout my career, I have stood alongside people marginalised because of their ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or political beliefs, advocating before courts, lawmakers and other forums. This recognition belongs not only to me, but also to the courageous lawyers, human rights defenders and communities in Myanmar who continue pursuing justice despite extraordinary risks, particularly since the 2021 military coup. This Award strengthens my commitment to use the law, reform the law where it perpetuates injustice and work towards a future Myanmar where inclusive justice, judicial independence and human dignity are protected.’
Read morePrevious Recipients
Adilur Rahman Khan
Presented with the Award for his tireless dedication to championing human rights in Bangladesh, campaigning against torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and violence against women and minority communities.Abukar Hassan Ahmed
Presented with the Award for his dedication to the fight for human rights and the rule of law in Somalia, speaking out against the brutal Siad Barre regime and defending people arrested for their political beliefs.Abdolfattah Soltani, Iran
Presented with the Award for his courage and commitment to the rule of law and human rights in Iran, enduring long-term prison sentences, harassment, and intimidation for providing pro-bono legal counsel to those in need.Ivan Velasquez Gomez, Colombia
Presented with the Award for his commitment to human rights and justice and his courage working on parliamentary transparency and organised crime.Clive Stafford Smith, United Kingdom
Presented with the Award for his commitment to bringing legal rights to the most vulnerable and to those who cannot afford representation. In addition, for his work defending individuals on death row, ensuring due process and justice for those wrongly convicted.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’.