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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.

2022 Recipient

The 2022 International Bar Association (IBA) Award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights has been bestowed upon lawyer Jiang Tianyong for his extraordinary dedication to defending human rights in the People’s Republic of China. Over the span of a decade, he has represented Chinese dissidents and activists, victims of HIV contamination through blood transfusions, Falun Gong religious practitioners, victims of illegal land misappropriation, and those facing discrimination due to health status, gender or age.

Mr Jiang commented: ‘Over the past 10 years, human rights in China has further deteriorated, more human rights lawyers face arrest, but they have persevered like other human rights defenders. As far as I know, none of my human rights lawyer friends has given up because of persecution. All of us understand that freedom is never free. This award is a recognition of myself and my colleagues in China. I thank the International Bar Association, thank our international colleagues for your support. On this day, human rights lawyers and human rights defenders around the world stand in solidarity with Chinese human rights lawyers.

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Previous Recipients

Maksim Znak and Ludmila Kazak
Presented with the award for their commitment to defending democratic principles and human rights in Belarus.

Neri Colmenares
Presented with the award for outstanding contribution to human rights, and his continuing determination and advocacy, in the face of great adversity.

Dr Margaret Ng and Martin Lee SC JP
Presented with the award for outstanding contribution to the promotion, protection and advancement of human rights.

Adeola Oyinlade
Presented with the award for his outstanding contribution to the promotion, protection and advancement of human rights.

Ramazan Demir
Presented with the award for his high impact on defence work in extremely challenging and threatening circumstances.

Galina Arapova
Presented with the award for her unstinting effort to protect the right to freedom of expression and information in her home country of Russia.

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’.