2023 Human Rights Prize Awardees
Seventy-five years ago, the visionary adoption of what Eleanor Roosevelt aptly referred to as “the international Magna Carta for all people, everywhere” took place in this General Assembly.
Borne out of the ashes of humanity’s darkest chapters — the Holocaust, the shadows of two world wars, and the stolen lives that lingered in their wake — the Universal Declaration of Human Rights stands as an enduring cornerstone, its relevance and universality reverberating through the corridors of time.
This landmark document indeed marked a pivotal juncture, where nations, irrespective of their diverse backgrounds, cultures, and histories, joined hands to affirm “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
It underscored that human rights are inherent to every existence, transcending origin, cultural identity, religious beliefs, or any other distinctions.
This decisive moment highlighted the formidable force that human rights carry, emphasizing their inalienability, indivisibility, inseparability, and interconnectedness.
The Universal Declaration proclaimed the inherent dignity and intrinsic worth of every human being, without caveats or conditions of any kind.
This milestone not only laid the foundation for international, national, and regional human rights instruments, but continues to serve as a timeless beacon for its advocates worldwide.
Today, we commemorate this important anniversary amid unprecedented challenges —interlocking crises and conflicts straining the achievement of human rights and perturbing the very essence of our multilateral system and demanding our unwavering resolve to fulfill the promise of the Declaration.
In accordance with General Assembly resolution 2217 (XXI) of 19 December 1966, and further to the letter dated 20 July 2023 from the President of the General Assembly during the seventy-seventh session announcing the winners of 2023 United Nations Human Rights Prize, I am pleased to inform you that the award ceremony for the 2023 United Nations Human Rights Prize will be held on 15 December 2023 at 10 a.m. in the General Assembly Hall, UN Headquarters, New York.
This meeting served as an occasion to mark the 75″ anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
PROGRAM
Key documents
The 2023 awardees
Established by the UN General Assembly in 1966, the UN Prize in the Field of Human Rights recognizes individuals and organizations in recognition of outstanding achievement in human rights.
It was awarded for the first time in December 1968, the twentieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration, and every five years since, except for 1983.
This year, three groups and two individuals were selected for the Prize, out of some 400-plus nominees.
The groups include, Human Rights Center, “Viasna”, based in Belarus; the Amman Center for Human Rights Studies, in Jordan; and a global coalition of civil society organizations, indigenous peoples, social movements and local communities advocating for a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
The individual winners are Julienne Lusenge of the Democratic Republic of Congo; and Julio Pereyra of Uruguay.
Previous recipients include Malala Yousafzai (2013), Denis Mukwege (2008), former US President Jimmy Carter (1998), Nelson and Winnie Mandela (1988), Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King (posthumously, 1978), and Eleanor Roosevelt (posthumously, 1968).
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the recipients of the UN Human Rights Prize. This award not only celebrates their accomplishments but sends a resounding message of support to all human rights defenders globally.
You are the true heroes.
