Human rights – Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law (21 November 2018)

Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs and his German counterpart, Heiko Maas, announced the winners of the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law on November 21.

On this occasion, the ministers stated that “As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights this year, France and Germany pay tribute to 15 figures who courageously defend human rights all over the world. Through them, our two countries honor all human rights advocates whose work is all too often ignored or obstructed, and express their appreciation and gratitude to all those who work every day to ensure that this declaration does not remain an empty slogan.”

Since 2016, this prize has been awarded every year to figures who have made an exceptional contribution to the protection and promotion of human rights and the rule of law in their country and at the international level. This prize reaffirms the constant commitment of France and Germany to human rights and the rule of law and helps strengthen their cooperation in this area.

The 2018 winners of the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law are:

Vuyiseka Dubula-Majola (South Africa);
Chak Sopheap (Cambodia);
Yu Wensheng (China);
Aminata Traoré (Côte d’Ivoire);
Mohamed Lotfy (Egypt);
Alfredo Okenve (Equitorial Guinea);
Nityanand Jayaraman (India);
Hessen Sayah Corban (Lebanon);
Mekfoula Mint Brahim (Mauritania);
Liz Chicaje Churay (Peru);
Oyub Titiev (Russia);
Anwar al-Bunni (Syria);
Daoud Nassar (Palestinian Territories);
Sirikan Charoensiri (Thailand);
Susana Raffalli Arismendi (Venezuela).