Civic space in Kenya continues to be under pressure as a range of actions is being directed against the work of Human Rights Defenders (HRD) and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in Kenya. Physical attacks, criminal and administrative actions, reprisals, legislative restrictions, negative rhetoric and limitation of human rights have undermined the constitutional and international protections available to HRDs.
It is against this backdrop that the Working Group on Human Rights Defenders in Kenya, which brings together CSOs, the United Nations, missions and development partners concerned with the protection of HRDs, is organizing the seventh (7th) edition of the HRD Awards on Friday, 25 November 2022.
The aim of the ceremony is to honor and publicly recognize the important work of HRDs in Kenya, by giving out awards to individuals who have demonstrated courage, innovation and impact in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The awards are presented in four categories:
The Munir Mazrui Lifetime Achievement Award.
TheHuman Rights Defender of the Year Award.
The Upcoming Human Rights Defender of the Year Award and
The Global Solidarity Award
THE OBJECTIVES
The objectives of these awards are to:
Honor the extraordinary work of HRDs in the promotion and protection of human rights;
Profile the work of HRDs and the challenges they face as agents of social change and transformation;
Recognize and appreciate the human rights work of young and upcoming HRDs in Kenya and support talent;
Enhance the safety and protection of all HRDs in Kenya.
Recognize innovation in engaging with human rights work
SELECTION PROCESS
Nomination:
The Working Group on Human Rights Defenders in Kenya develops a call for nominations, which is then widely circulated by the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders in Kenya (also referred to as Defenders Coalition) and other partners. This call outlines the criteria for eligibility for nomination. Individual HRDs can be nominated in the four categories.
Shortlisting:
A panel comprised of human rights defenders, missions representatives and CSO organizations involved in the planning of the HRD Awards then shortlists five individuals per category within the set-out guidelines for shortlisting candidates.
Verification:
The panel verifies the HRD’s human rights work through field visits, and interviews with the nominators, the nominees and their references.
Selection:
The Independent Jury Committee, which comprises of eminent individuals in the human rights sector, makes a final decision, from the names submitted, on the recipient of the three awards and the runner up.
Award ceremony:
The feting ceremony will be held on 25th November 2022 in the presence of CSOs, the UN, the government, HRDs, representatives from the international missions, and the media who will cover the event.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The following will be taken into consideration:
Demonstrable impact of the HRD’s human rights work to the community.
The role of the HRD in promoting human rights, especially the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups
Courage of the HRD in his/her/their human rights work
Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity in his/her human rights work
Contribution to development of a human rights-based approach within his/her county with regards to the thematic area of focus
Future goals and likely impact
HRD’s acceptance on the universality of human rights
Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
Visibility derived from the award to enhance the work of the HRD to promote human rights and active citizenship
The HRD should have a link to the community and his/her/their work should have built or is working towards building a movement
For the Global Solidarity Award, the choice of nominee must not be a sitting diplomat.
AWARD
Four awards will be presented to the overall winners: the Munir Mazrui lifetime achievement award, the HRD of the year award, the upcoming HRD award and Global Solidarity Award.
The winners will receive:
A cash award of $ 1,000
A plaque with the HRD’s name on it
Will be a guest at the HRD award ceremony 2023
Global Solidarity Award is an honorary award
WITHDRAWAL OF AN AWARD
The Jury Committee can revoke an award given to past winners if they violate human rights or go against the selection criteria of the HRDs Awards after being awarded.
To nominate your favorite human rights champion by downloading, filling and sending the filled form to us. (A link to download the form will be added).
OR Nominate them via video or audio submission not longer than 5 minutes by sending the audio or video via email advocacy@defenderscoalition.org or Whatsapp/Signal 0716 200 100.
All nomination forms should be sent back to the Defenders Coalition via advocacy@defenderscoalition.org with a clear subject line “HRD AWARD NOMINATION” by the 31stof August 2022, 11.59 P.M.
Who is Eligible for Nomination;
Beyond the overall selection criteria as outlined above, nominees under each or the award category should posses/exhibit the following,
The Munir Mazrui Lifetime Achievement Award.
Nominee under this category should;
Demonstrate outstanding work in the promotion of human rights for a long period of time e.g Veteran HRDs
Demonstrable impact of the HRD’s human rights work to the community.
The role of the HRD in promoting human rights, especially the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups
Courage of the HRD in his/her/their human rights work
Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity in his/her human rights work
Contribution to development of a human rights-based approach within his/her county with regards to the thematic area of focus
Future goals and likely impact
HRD’s acceptance on the universality of human rights
Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
Visibility derived from the award to enhance the work of the HRD to promote human rights and active citizenship
The HRD should have a link to the community and his/her/their work should have built or is working towards building a movement
For the Global Solidarity Award, the choice of nominee must not be a sitting diplomat.
TheHuman Rights Defender of the Year Award.
Nominee under this category should;
Demonstrate outstanding work in the promotion of human rights during the recent years
Demonstrable impact of the HRD’s human rights work to the community.
The role of the HRD in promoting human rights, especially the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups
Courage of the HRD in his/her/their human rights work
Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity in his/her human rights work
Contribution to development of a human rights-based approach within his/her county with regards to the thematic area of focus
Future goals and likely impact
HRD’s acceptance on the universality of human rights
Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
Visibility derived from the award to enhance the work of the HRD to promote human rights and active citizenship
The HRD should have a link to the community and his/her/their work should have built or is working towards building a movement
For the Global Solidarity Award, the choice of nominee must not be a sitting diplomat.
The Upcoming Human Rights Defender of the Year Award
Nominee under this category should;
Be young and below the age of 35 years
Demonstrable impact of the HRD’s human rights work to the community.
The role of the HRD in promoting human rights, especially the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups
Courage of the HRD in his/her human rights work
Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity in his/her human rights work
Contribution to development of a human rights-based approach within his/her county with regards to the thematic area of focus
Future goals and likely impact
HRD’s acceptance on the universality of human rights
Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
Visibility derived from the award to enhance the work of the HRD to promote human rights and active citizenship
The HRD should have a link to the community and his/her work should have built or is working towards building a movement
For the Global Solidarity Award, the choice of nominee must not be a sitting diplomat.
The Global Solidarity Award
Nominee under this category should;
Must not be an active diplomat or staff at the Embassies
Demonstrable impact of the HRD’s human rights work to the community.
The role of the HRD in promoting human rights, especially the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups
Courage of the HRD in his/her/their human rights work
Demonstrated leadership, innovation and creativity in his/her human rights work
Contribution to development of a human rights-based approach within his/her county with regards to the thematic area of focus
Future goals and likely impact
HRD’s acceptance on the universality of human rights
Degree of difficulty of the achievement and sacrifices made
Visibility derived from the award to enhance the work of the HRD to promote human rights and active citizenship
The HRD should have a link to the community and his/her/their work should have built or is working towards building a movement
For the Global Solidarity Award, the choice of nominee must not be a sitting diplomat.
All nomination forms should be sent back to the Defenders Coalition via advocacy@defenderscoalition.org with a clear subject line “HRD AWARD NOMINATION” by the 31st of August 2022, 11.59 P.M.
