1968 Robert Kennedy (credit: Wikipedia)
After the call for nominations for the Nansen Award and Lawyers for Lawyers Award this week, here comes the one for the US-based Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. Founded in 1968, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights (RFK Center) has honored 44 human rights defenders working in 26 countries since 1984. The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award Laureates are individuals who stand up to oppression at grave personal risk in the non-violent pursuit of human rights. The Award recognizes the work of outstanding individuals and provides support for the work of the Laureate through litigation; public awareness campaigns; advocacy to governments, the United Nations, regional bodies, other international entities and non-governmental organizations; and by generating domestic and international support for their cause.
The public is allowed to nominate outstanding human rights defenders. The deadline is March 1, 2013. Only nominations in English are accepted. Click here for the nominations form:
yjer and Els Swaab, will decide which lawyer will receive the award. The prize consists of a donation of €10.000. Anyone can submit a nomination, but a lawyer or group of lawyers cannot nominate themselves. The closing date for submission of nominations is 15 February 2013.
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 