Viasna among top three candidates for Human Rights Tulip 2022

There are three candidates left in the running for the Human Rights Tulip 2022, the prize awarded by the Netherlands Foreign Ministry each year to international human rights defenders. Foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra will be announcing this year’s winner on 8 December.

On 21 October the shortlist for the Human Rights Tulip 2022 was published. An independent jury has now selected the top three candidates from the shortlist of ten according to, among other things, the impact of their work on society and their courage in striving to promote human rights despite threats and attacks. The remaining candidates for the Human Rights Tulip 2022 are:

Human Rights Center Viasna

The Viasna Human Rights Center was established in 1996 during mass protests by the democratic opposition in Belarus. Viasna is currently working to monitor the human rights situation in Belarus and raise awareness of democracy and human rights. The organization also defends individual rights, particularly the rights of political prisoners. It has been operating illegally in Belarus since 2003.

Leng Ouch

Leng Ouchhas been working for human and environmental rights in Cambodia for 22 years. By investigating abuses and exposing corruption, he takes up the cause of groups of people whose interests are harmed by companies or the government. These groups include local communities that are losing their land to large-scale deforestation.

Thai Lawyers for Human Rights

Thai Lawyers for Human Rightsis an organization that was established in 2014 by a group of human rights lawyers and social activists, two days after the military coup in Thailand. The lawyers offer pro bono legal assistance to people who suffer arbitrary treatment or are put on trial for exercising their civil and political rights. The organization also works to raise awareness among the Thai people, working closely with other human rights organizations and the UN.

The Human Rights Tulip is a prize that the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs awards each year to a human rights defender or human rights organization to support their important work. The winner receives a bronze tulip and €100,000. This money and the international visibility the prize creates help the winner continue and expand their human rights efforts.