Applications call for Martin Ennals Award 2022. The Martin Ennals Award (MEA) is an international Award given to human rights defenders in urgent need of protection. Many defenders who are nominated for the Award face serious risks; for example, they are in jail or at risk of detention; they have been prevented from carrying out their work by authorities or businesses, or they have disappeared.

The Award also seeks to protect these defenders by highlighting their work through the media;  and mobilizing international support for them. The presentation of the Award is accompanied by significant advocacy; and outreach activities in favor of the human rights defenders concerned. The winners are also given a financial prize to use at their discretion.

Benefits

• The Martin Ennals Foundation identifies the needs of the Defenders (protection, digital security, self-care, advocacy, etc.) and prepares the MEA public announcement
• Also, a film is usually produced about each of them, and an outreach and media campaign is organized to publicly announce the three Finalists of the Award
• All of the winners receive an important financial prize intended to support his or her work in the field of human rights
• The international recognition and credibility of the Award contributes to their protection, as does the support of prominent figures such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the City of Geneva, the Republic and Canton of Geneva and other partner organizations.

Nomination

The Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders honors individuals and organizations who have shown exceptional commitment to defending human rights, despite the risks involved, and who are in need of protection.

In addition to the achievements of the candidate, several criteria are taken into consideration for the Award:

• Candidates must be currently active in the promotion and protection of human rights. The Award does not consider defenders who are deceased.
• The candidate should not employ or advocate violence.
• Self -nominations are not accepted.
• Furthermore, defenders who are no longer in need of protection e.g. because they are now in a safe environment) will normally not be considered.

Criteria

The Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders honors individuals and organizations who have shown exceptional commitment to defending human rights, despite the risks involved. To qualify for the award, the nominees must:

• Be currently active in the promotion and protection of human rights
• Not employ or advocate violence
• Not be self-nominated
• Be in need of protection

Who can be nominated?

• However, self-nominations for the MEA are not accepted.
• Human rights defenders or organizations can be nominated by a third party, as long as the motivation is substantiated and the candidate meets the MEA criteria, namely being a human rights defender at risk.
• Also, past Laureates include lawyers, journalists, civil society activists and even a Buddhist monk.

Useful Links 

• FAQ Nominations
• Ethical Guidelines and Code of Conduct