Call for Nominations: 2026 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk

Front Line Defenders is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk — an annual recognition that celebrates the braveness and resilience of these standing up for human rights in a few of the world’s most difficult and harmful environments.

Since its institution in 2005, the award has honored people, collectives, organizations, and communities who’ve made excellent contributions to selling and defending the rights of others, usually whereas going through vital private danger. The award not solely acknowledges their bravery but in addition seeks to offer larger visibility and assist to these whose security and work could profit from elevated worldwide consideration.

Recognizing Courage within the Face of Risk

Human rights defenders (HRDs) throughout the globe work tirelessly to uphold justice, equality, and dignity — from advocating for environmental safety and gender rights to defending freedom of expression and marginalized communities. In many circumstances, this work comes with nice hazard. HRDs are sometimes threatened, harassed, or silenced for talking reality to energy.

The Front Line Defenders Award was created to amplify their voices and supply them with the popularity they deserve. The award is particularly meant for HRDs who haven’t but obtained substantial worldwide consideration and for whom elevated visibility can improve their safety and strengthen their advocacy efforts.

Regional Recognition Across the Globe

Each yr, 5 awardees are chosen as regional winners representing:

Through this regional recognition, Front Line Defenders highlights the variety of human rights struggles and honors defenders working in vastly completely different — but equally complicated — contexts.

Who Can Be Nominated

Nominations are open to people, collectives, organizations, or communities engaged on any human rights situation and going through critical dangers resulting from their work or the insecurity of their working setting.

The nomination course of is open to anybody — each people and organizations — who want to put ahead a deserving human rights defender. Self-nominations, nevertheless, aren’t permitted.

To be thought-about, nominees should:

• Be at the moment energetic in human rights work (the award doesn’t acknowledge historic or posthumous contributions).

• Not maintain a outstanding position inside a political get together.

• Not have obtained vital worldwide recognition beforehand.

• If in exile, stay at danger resulting from their human rights actions.

The variety of nominations a candidate receives doesn’t affect the choice course of.

Selection Criteria

Submissions might be evaluated based mostly on:

• The nature and affect of the nominee’s human rights work.

• The stage of danger or penalties related to their efforts.

• Their sustained dedication to advancing human rights regardless of excessive dangers.

• The potential affect that receiving the award would have on their security, visibility, and skill to proceed their work.

Incomplete nominations won’t be thought-about.

Nomination Process and Deadline

Nominations for the 2026 Front Line Defenders Award will be submitted via a secure online form, obtainable in a number of languages, making certain accessibility for nominators worldwide.

AR: https://zurl.co/hizZm
ES: https://zurl.co/igNRU
FA: https://zurl.co/am6XM
FR: https://zurl.co/ns40B
PT: https://zurl.co/q6tgk
RU: https://zurl.co/Dz17X
TR: https://zurl.co/kOOGN
ZH:

The deadline for submissions is Friday, 23 January 2026.

This award continues to function a beacon of solidarity, drawing world consideration to those that defend human rights within the face of oppression, intimidation, and violence. By nominating a deserving defender, you possibly can assist amplify their affect and contribute to safeguarding their important work.

For extra alternatives click on right here. 

Related