The International Bar Association (IBA) is now receiving nominations for its 2026 IBA Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights. The Award will be presented to the winner at a dedicated ceremony during this year’s IBA Annual Conference, taking place from 4–9 October 2026 at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Award is free to enter and open to all lawyers – IBA members and non-members alike. The winner will receive:

• free registration to attend the 2026 IBA Annual Conference in Denmark;
• a contribution towards accommodation and travel costs to attend the Annual Conference;
• one year’s free IBA general membership; and
• free membership of the IBA Human Rights Law Committee.

The Award will be given by the IBA Human Rights Law Committee to a legal practitioner who 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.

Markus Beham and Marissa Weber, Co-Chairs of the Human Rights Law Committee, said: ‘Every day dedicated legal practitioners worldwide make sacrifices to advance human rights. This prestigious award will recognise a legal practitioner for their impactful, yet unheralded, work for the rule of law. We look forward to receiving your nominations and learning about the vital contributions lawyers are making around the globe. While we can only select one honouree, every story matters, and we are certain the 2026 recipient will inspire many others.’

The deadline for submitting nominations for the Award is 2359 (BST) on Sunday 10 May 2026. Shortlisted nominees will be contacted at the email address provided on the nomination form. Any queries about the nomination process should be sent to george.little@int-bar.org.

Click here to access a nomination form, terms and conditions and full details regarding this award.

ENDS

Contact: IBApressoffice@int-bar.org

Notes to the reader

1. Click here to read about the recipient of the 2025 IBA Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights.
2. The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, is the foremost organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of theUnited Nations , with the aim of protecting and promoting the rule of law globally, the IBA was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world’s bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice.
3. The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), established in 1995 under Founding Honorary President Nelson Mandela, is an autonomous entity working to promote, protect and enforce human rights under a just rule of law, and to preserve the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession worldwide.
4. Find the IBA and IBAHRI on social media here:

   IBA

   • x.com/IBAnews
   • x.com/IBAevents
   • x.com/IBAHagueOffice
   • linkedin.com/company/international-bar-association
   • facebook.com/internationalbarassociation
   • bsky.app/profile/ibanews.bsky.social
5. IBAHRI
   • x.com/IBAHRI
   • linkedin.com/in/iba-human-rights-institute/
   • facebook.com/IBAhumanrights

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Website page link for this news release:
Short link: https://www.ibanet.org/IBA-Human-Rights-Award-2026-call-for-nominations
Full link: https://www.ibanet.org/IBA-Human-Rights-Award-2026-call-for-nominations