10th HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
27th March 2026, Nairobi, Kenya
The Working Group on Human Rights Defenders, Defenders Coalition and the European Union in Kenya congratulates the awardees and nominees of the 10th Human Rights Defenders Awards after a feting ceremony held on 27th March 2026 in Nairobi.
The awardees of the 10th HRD Awards are individuals and collectives who have demonstrated courage and resilience in their work. From advancing the rights of persons with disabilities, seeking redress for victims of human rights violations, pushing for environmental rights and climate justice, empowering the youth to spotlighting repression through media at a regional and global scale.
THE WINNERS
UPCOMING HRD OF THE YEAR AWARD
Damaris Aswa: Damaris Aswa empowers young people and women to push for social justice through the Youth for Integrity Building (YIB). Through YIB, Aswa uses civic education, digital literacy, and media well-being, Damaris has carved out a space where youth are not only informed but equipped to act.
HRD OF THE YEAR AWARD
Larry Madowo: Larry Madowo stands at the intersection of storytelling and accountability, using his voice and platform to spotlight human rights, justice, and truth. He is a celebrated international journalist, and has worked in global newsrooms including CNN, BBCAfrica, CNCAfrica, and NTVKenya , where his reporting continues to amplify critical conversations around media freedom and governance.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Khelef Khalifa: Khalifa’s human rights work since the 1990’s is deeply intersectional, addressing land rights, enforced disappearances, police brutality, and broader human rights violations. He collaborates with diverse community groups, offering legal guidance, following up on cases, and working with organizations to pursue justice.
GLOBAL SOLIDARITY AWARD
Hon Solomon Dersso – Hon Solomon Dersso currently serves as a Commissioner with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), country rapporteur for Kenya and the chairperson of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights Violations of the ACHPR.He has utilised national, regional and international spaces to ensure the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms with communities and fostering solution-oriented changes in addressing human rights situations at diverse levels.
POPULAR VOTE AWARD:
Julius Kamau: Julius has been vocal against the erosion of fundamental rights and freedoms ,peaceful assembly, association, access to information, and expression. He has pushed back against regressive laws seeking to claw back constitutionally guaranteed protections.
*ENDS*
- ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AWARDS
Advocating for the respect of Human Rights is a high-risk undertaking. Groups and individuals who walk this road are often the targets for reprisals by authorities and individuals who walk this road are often the targets for reprisals by authorities and non-state groups who make use of various forms of repression to silence them. The “Declaration of the Rights and Responsibilities of individuals, groups and organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms” was adopted in December 1998 and defines these advocates as human rights defenders.
The Annual HRD Award was launched in 2016 by The Defenders Coalition and the Working Group on Human Rights Defenders (HRD Working Group) as a protective strategy for human rights defenders and recognition of their work to :
- Honour the extraordinary work of HRD’s in the promotion and protection of human rights,
- Profile the work of HRD and challenges they face as agents of social change and transformation;
- Recognise and appreciate the human rights work of young and upcoming HRD’s in Kenya;
- Enhance the safety and protection of all HRD’s in Kenya.
- THE AWARD CATEGORIES
The awards are presented in 5 categories and one recognition category:
- Upcoming Human Rights Defender of the Year Award: recognizing Individuals or movements active for 0–5 years who have shown exemplary courage in overcoming challenges and advancing human rights.
- Human Rights Defender of the Year Award: recognizing Individuals or movements who, within the past year, have demonstrated outstanding courage in addressing and challenging current human rights issues.
- Munir Mazrui Lifetime Achievement Award: recognizing Individuals or movements for their long-term commitment, courage, and significant contributions to the protection and promotion of human rights.
- The Global Solidarity Award: recognizing international Individuals or movements,who have made significant contributions to advancing human rights in Kenya through solidarity at regional or global levels.
- Popular Award: this award allows participants at the ceremony to vote for a nominee who has done impressive work but was not selected as a winner in the primary categories.
SELECTION PROCESS
- Nomination:
The Working Group on Human Rights Defenders in Kenya develops a call for nominations, which is then widely circulated by the 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 shortlisting panel composed of missions 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 conducts verification of the nominees regarding their human rights work through field visits, and interviews with the nominators, the nominees and their references.
- Selection:
The Independent Selection Panel, 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 celebration is held annually towards the end of the year. (November of December). The event is hosted by the Ambassador of the mission that co-chairs the Working Group on HRDs. The participants of the event are all the nominees, the family, missions, government officials and the media to commemorate their achievements.
- 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 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
Read More About the HRD Awards here