Voices for Justice

Meet the Alison Des Forges Award for Extraordinary Activism Recipients

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  Each year the Voices for Justice Annual Dinners honor human rights defenders from around the world with our highest tribute, the Alison Des Forges Award for Extraordinary Activism. The award is named after Dr. Alison Des Forges, senior adviser to Human Rights Watch's Africa division for almost two decades, who died in a plane crash in New York on February 12, 2009. Des Forges was the leading expert on the 1994 Rwanda genocide and its aftermath. Human Rights Watch's annual award commemorates her outstanding commitment to, and defense of, human rights. It celebrates the valor of people who put their lives on the line to protect the dignity and rights of others.

• © 2016 Shariful Islam Sourav

  “The government is trying to silence workers and human rights activists, but I will fight until my last breath to make change.”

  Kalpona Akter, a former child worker who champions the rights or working women, and all workers in Bangladesh’s garment factories.

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  © 2014 Teddy Mazina

  “You aren’t born a human rights defender, you become one. What’s important is to hold on during the difficult times up until the end.”

  Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, a former police officer who became Burundi’s most prominent human rights activist and founder of the Association for the Protection of Human Rights and Detained Persons (APRODH).

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  Photo courtesy of Yonous Muhammadi

  “The acceptance of diversity is the heart of human rights and I fight to achieve it one day.”

  Yonous Muhammadi, a leading defender for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers who himself had to flee Taliban abuses in his home country of Afghanistan.

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  © Byloom

  “People with psychosocial disabilities are often humiliated and silenced, but I refuse to stay quiet. My work is to help people reclaim their humanity.”

  Ratnaboli Ray, a leading advocate for the rights of people with psychosocial disabilities (mental health conditions) fighting to move India toward a rights-based system of mental health care.

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  © Ilan

  “Defending fundamental human rights for all without discrimination is not just a job but my life-commitment.”

  Nicholas Opiyo, a leading human rights lawyer and founder of the human rights organization Chapter Four Uganda, who has worked tirelessly to defend civil liberties in Uganda.