Applications are open for Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders 2022. 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.

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.

Basically, the Award 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.

Who can be nominated?

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. Past Laureates include lawyers, journalists, civil society activists, and even a Buddhist monk.

Criteria

In order 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

The COVID19 pandemic spurred new efforts to leverage digital connectivity for work, health, and our personal relationships. But a human rights lens is urgently needed so that the opportunities of digital technology reach all of humanity and solutions can be found for risks online. Human rights defenders are at the forefront of ensuring digital technology is inclusive; respectful of human rights and employed for human betterment. Furthermore, to offer support to them and keep the spotlight on these issues, the Martin Ennals Award 2022 will reserve one of its three prizes for defenders working at the intersection of human rights and digital connectivity.

• FAQ Nominations
• Ethical Guidelines and Code of Conduct