The U.S. Department of State has announced the recipients of the Secretary of State’s Human Rights Defender Award for 2024. This award acknowledges eight individuals who have shown significant dedication to promoting and defending human rights globally. The honorees have been recognized for their leadership and courage in various areas, including transparency, accountability, labor rights, and the protection of vulnerable communities.
Among this year's awardees is Rufat Safarov from Azerbaijan, who was detained by Azerbaijani authorities on December 3, 2024. The U.S. Department of State has called for his immediate release.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken hosted a ceremony in collaboration with the McCain Institute to honor these individuals and highlight their efforts despite facing considerable challenges.
The 2024 awardees include:
- Mary Ann Abunda from Kuwait advocates for migrant workers' rights and played a crucial role in passing the 2015 Domestic Workers’ Law.
- Amparo Carvajal from Bolivia has defended human rights for over five decades as co-founder and president of the Permanent Human Rights Assembly of Bolivia (APDHB).
- Aida Dzhumanazarova from Kyrgyz Republic works with the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law to support civil society organizations.
- Mang Hre Lian from Burma promotes human rights and media freedom through his work with the Chin Human Rights Organization.
- Thulani Maseko from Eswatini (posthumous) was a lawyer advocating for democracy and civil rights before his murder in 2023.
- Ebenezer Peegah from Ghana pioneers LGBTQI+ equality as founder and Executive Director of Rightify Ghana.
- Juana Ruiz from Colombia leads ASVIDAS, an organization supporting survivors of gender-based violence, following paramilitary violence in her community.
For more information on the Secretary of State’s Human Rights Defender Award, inquiries can be directed to DRLPressRequests@state.gov.
