IBA Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights
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The IBA annually presents an award to an outstanding lawyer in the world of human rights law. The award is free to enter and it is open to all lawyers, whether or not they are members of the IBA.
Application details
Each year, the IBA presents an award to an outstanding lawyer in the world of human rights law.
Applications are now closed. If you have any questions, please contact divisions@int-bar.org
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.
2024 Recipient
Lawyer Sam Sasan Shoamanesh has been presented with the 2024 International Bar Association (IBA) Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights for his extraordinary dedication to defending human rights and cultivating the international Rule of Law for over two decades, particularly during his work at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
On receipt of the Award, Mr Shoamanesh commented: ‘I am sincerely grateful to the IBA for this prestigious honour. I am truly humbled and accept this honour as recognition not merely of my personal achievements, it is always, a collective effort, but rather of the importance of the genuine pursuit and promise of international criminal justice for a more just world – a notion so vividly in need of cultivation in our times. I’d like to also accept this award on behalf of the broader human rights movement, that is deeply rooted in the selfless contribution of so many unsung heroes – a movement that remains ever crucial to the betterment of the human condition. We must be sincere and consistent in our support and application of international criminal justice – no matter the situation, who, or how powerful the perpetrator – joined in the universal truth that every human life matters and deserves protection under the law. Our collective civilisation deserves better. Our common future demands more decency, courage and integrity in the affairs of war, peace and justice. I’m indebted to the IBA leadership for its support and vote of confidence.’ Read Mr Shoamanesh’s full speech here.
Read morePrevious Recipients
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’.