The Front Line Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk is granted annually to one human rights defender who has made an exceptional contribution to defending the rights of others in their country – often at great personal risk to themselves.

In addition to giving publicity to the work of the winner, Front Line hopes that the publicity will act as an additional form of individual protection to the human rights defender in the future and that the programme of high level political meetings will enable the winner to build up a network of useful contacts for future advocacy.

The Award consists of a cash prize of €15,000 – a personal honorarium of €5,000 and a contribution of €10,000 to the work of the recipient’s organisation.

Nominations should give details of the human rights defender’s work, the risks or negative consequences experienced as a result of this work, why you think he/she should receive the award and how he/she might benefit from it.

Nominations must be supported by two referees who can attest to the nominees work, their integrity and their commitment to non-violent means.

Individual nominees may not be a leading member of a political party and must be currently active in human rights work (the Front Line Award is not intended to recognise a historical or posthumous contribution.) Self nomination is not permitted.

Each January, Front Line drafts a shortlist of nominees for final selection by a jury of Irish elected representatives. The Award is presented at a ceremony in Dublin in May.

Front Line Award nominations are open until 31st December every year.

For more information and award applications, see: Award for Human Rights Defenders