As can be seen from THF’s Digest of Human Rights Laureates [https://www.trueheroesfilms.org/thedigest] there is a small number of important individuals which do not appear in the Digest for the simple reason that they did not get an award while they were still alive. One explanation is that these leaders of the early days operated in the time that awards were less numerous (most awards were after all created after 2000).
In order to rectify this a group of individuals has created a Life-time Human Rights Achievement Award, which is an honorary, posthumous award for individuals who have greatly contributed to the international protection of human rights defenders but have been ‘forgotten’ by other awards. Attributed in exceptional cases.
The first 6 laureates are: Werner Lottje, Niall MacDermot, Hansa Mehta, Bertha Lutz, Minerva Bernardino and Charles Malik. This selection is an indication of what the “Ad Hoc Committee for recognition of forgotten human rights heroes” considers lifetime achievements. See: https://www.trueheroesfilms.org/thedigest/awards/3816a904-e225-4c74-a5da-136507ba27a2
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Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 
April 20, 2021 at 13:28
Dear Hans,
I agree about the forgotten heroes. I met three: Niall MacDermot, Werner Lottje and Hans Thoolen.
I was at the ICJ in 1979. We had wine once at your house in Cologny.
Warmest regards,
Alberto Donadio email: alberto.donadio@gmail.com
On Tue, Apr 20, 2021 at 5:17 AM Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards wrote:
> Hans Thoolen posted: ” As can be seen from THF’s Digest of Human Rights > Laureates [https://www.trueheroesfilms.org/thedigest] there is a small > number of important individuals which do not appear in the Digest for the > simple reason that they did not get an award while they wer” >
April 20, 2021 at 18:02
dear Alberto,
thank you for the compliment, Hans