The 2022 SouthernDefenders’ Award Call for Nominations
The Southern African Human Rights Network (Southern Defenders) calls for the nomination for the 2022 Southern Defenders Awards for outstanding Human Rights Defenders. The annual Southern Defenders Award was established in 2018 to celebrate the courage and resilience of HRDs who have made significant contributions to the promotion and protection of the human rights of others, in very difficult situations and often at great personal risk themselves.
More recently, the most significant human rights violations in many parts of the Southern African region have included arbitrary detention of HRDs, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial execution, use of torture, widespread official corruption, gender-based violence, increased violence during election periods, and crimes involving violence or threats of violence targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons. Moreover, the safety of whistle-blowers, pro-democracy activists, as well as land and environmental rights defenders continues to worsen for many across the region.
Despite all these violations, HRDs and social justice activists continue fighting to protect and promote human rights and basic freedoms in such hostile conditions at great personal risk. The Award seeks to increase the visibility of HRDs because, despite the important work they do, they very often are not well known. This year marks the 5th anniversary of the award
To nominate, please download the form by clicking on your preferred language Portuguese, French or English.
To nominate via online form, please click here
#TogetherWeDefend
For more information please contact:
Charles Clint Chimedza, SouthernDefenders: +27 (0)78 125 1061; cchimedza@southerndefenders.africa
