Prize for Freedom
Prize for Freedom
The Prize for Freedom, awarded by Liberal International, is a prestigious global honor that recognizes individuals or organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of human rights, democracy, political freedom, and liberal values under difficult or oppressive conditions. Conferred by the world federation of liberal political parties, the prize highlights courageous efforts to defend civil liberties, uphold the rule of law, and promote pluralism, often in the face of persecution, imprisonment, or personal risk. Presented during Liberal International’s congresses or major gatherings, the award serves not only as recognition but also as an international expression of solidarity and moral support for those striving to protect freedom and human dignity worldwide.
| Sl. | Name | Country | Flag | Year | Awarded for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Osman Kavala | Turkey | 2025 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 40 | Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza | Rwanda | 2024 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 39 | Vladimir Kara-Murza | Russia | 2023 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 38 | Volodymyr Zelenskyy | Ukraine | 2022 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 37 | Dr. Sima Samar | Afghanistan | 2021 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 36 | Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein | Jordan | 2020 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 35 | María Corina Machado | Venezuela | 2019 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 34 | Leila de Lima | Philippines | 2018 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 33 | Ilham Tohti | China | 2017 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 32 | Raif Badawi | Saudi Arabia | 2016 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 31 | Lord John Alderdice | United Kingdom | 2015 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 30 | Waris Dirie | Somalia | 2014 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 29 | Dick Marty | Switzerland | 2013 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 28 | Colin Eglin | South Africa | 2012 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 27 | Chee Soon Juan | Singapore | 2011 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 26 | Shirin Ebadi | Iran | 2010 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 25 | Eric Avebury | United Kingdom | 2009 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 24 | Padraig O’Malley | Ireland | 2008 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 23 | Aliaksandr Milinkevich | Belarus | 2007 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 22 | Sam Rainsy | Cambodia | 2006 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 21 | Antonino Zichichi | Italy | 2005 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 20 | Abdoulaye Wade | Senegal | 2003 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 19 | Helen Suzman | South Africa | 2002 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 18 | Chen Shui-bian | Taiwan | 2001 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 17 | Asma Jahangir | Pakistan | 2000 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 16 | Lennart Meri | Estonia | 1999 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 15 | Khalida Meddaoudi | Algeria | 1998 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 14 | Olusegun Obasanjo | Nigeria | 1997 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 13 | Martin Lee | Hong Kong | 1996 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 12 | Aung San Suu Kyi | Myanmar | 1995 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 11 | Sadako Ogata | Japan | 1994 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 10 | Mary Robinson | Ireland | 1993 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 9 | María Elena Cruz Varela | Cuba | 1992 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 8 | Domingo Laino | Paraguay | 1991 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 7 | Gitobu Imanyara | Kenya | 1990 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 6 | Václav Havel | Czechoslovakia | 1989 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 5 | Benazir Bhutto | Pakistan | 1988 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 4 | Hans-Dietrich Genscher | West Germany | 1987 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 3 | Corazon Aquino | Philippines | 1986 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 2 | Sheena Duncan | South Africa | 1985 | Defence of freedom and human rights | |
| 1 | Raúl Alfonsín | Argentina | 1984 | Defence of freedom and human rights |
Prize for Freedom Laureates (2030 ~ 2021)
Osman Kavala
Prize for Freedom 2025
Osman Kavala (born 1957) is a prominent Turkish businessman, philanthropist, and human rights activist. Born in Paris and educated in economics, he took over his family’s business in the 1980s but increasingly dedicated his life to civil society and cultural dialogue. In 2002, he founded Anadolu Kültür, a nonprofit focused on supporting arts and culture as a bridge for reconciliation and diversity in Turkey.Kavala has been imprisoned since 2017, becoming a symbol of Turkey's crackdown on civil dissent. Originally accused of financing the 2013 Gezi Park protests, he was acquitted in 2020 only to be immediately re-arrested on charges related to a 2016 attempted coup and espionage. In 2022, he was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment.Despite a 2019 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights calling for his immediate release due to a lack of evidence, he remains in the Silivri high-security prison. In 2023, he was awarded the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize for his lifelong dedication to democratic values.
Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza
Prize for Freedom 2024
Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza is a prominent Rwandan opposition leader and advocate for democratic reform. Trained in commercial law and accounting in the Netherlands, she worked for an international firm before dedicating herself to politics. In 2010, after 16 years in exile, she returned to Rwanda to contest the presidential elections as the leader of the Unified Democratic Forces (FDU-Inkingi).However, she was barred from running and arrested on charges including terrorism and "genocide ideology" after calling for the recognition of all victims of past violence. Initially sentenced to eight years, the Supreme Court later increased her term to 15 years. The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights subsequently ruled that Rwanda had violated her freedom of expression.Released by presidential grace in 2018 after eight years—five of which were in solitary confinement—she continues to lead the unregistered party DALFA-Umurinzi. She remains a vocal critic of the government, despite ongoing legal restrictions and threats to her safety.
Vladimir Kara-Murza
Prize for Freedom 2023
Vladimir Kara-Murza (born 1981) is a Russian-British politician, journalist, and filmmaker who has become a leading voice for democracy in Russia. A protégé of the late opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, he is a key figure in the Free Russia Foundation and has dedicated his career to advocating for human rights and civil society.Kara-Murza is perhaps best known for his pivotal role in the adoption of the Magnitsky Act, which allows for targeted sanctions against human rights violators. Due to his activism, he survived two suspected poisonings in 2015 and 2017. In April 2022, he was arrested for denouncing the invasion of Ukraine and subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison for "high treason."While imprisoned in Siberia, he continued to write columns for The Washington Post, which earned him the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. In August 2024, he was released as part of a historic East-West prisoner exchange. Despite his release, Russian authorities reportedly issued a new arrest warrant for him in October 2025.
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Prize for Freedom 2022
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (born 1978) is the sixth President of Ukraine, who transitioned from a career in comedy and entertainment to become a globally recognized wartime leader. Before entering politics, he founded the successful production company Kvartal 95 and starred in the hit series Servant of the People, where he portrayed a history teacher who unexpectedly becomes president.In a case of life imitating art, Zelenskyy ran for the presidency in 2019 on an anti-corruption platform and won a landslide victory with 73% of the vote. While his early term was marked by domestic reforms and navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, his legacy was redefined by the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.Zelenskyy’s refusal to flee Kyiv, famously stating, "I need ammunition, not a ride," made him an international symbol of resistance. As of 2026, he remains in office under martial law, consistently advocating for Ukrainian sovereignty and leading high-level diplomatic efforts for peace and security.
Sima Samar
Prize for Freedom 2021
Sima Samar (born 1957) is a distinguished Afghan physician, human rights advocate, and former government official. She became the first Afghan woman to graduate in medicine from Kabul University in 1982. After her husband was arrested and disappeared during a pro-Russian coup, she fled to Pakistan in 1984. There, she established the Shuhada Organization, which grew to operate numerous schools, clinics, and hospitals for Afghan refugees and marginalized communities.Returning to Afghanistan in 2002, Samar served as the country’s first Minister of Women’s Affairs and a Deputy Chair in the Interim Administration. She later chaired the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) for nearly two decades (2002–2019). Her work has been recognized globally with numerous honors, including the Right Livelihood Award (2012) and the Liberal International Prize for Freedom (2021).Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, she has lived in exile in the United States, where she remains a vocal critic of "gender apartheid" and currently serves as a visiting fellow at The Fletcher School at Tufts University.
Prize for Freedom Laureates (2020 ~ 2011)
Zeid bin Ra'ad
Prize for Freedom 2020
Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein (born 1964) is a distinguished Jordanian diplomat and academic known for his unwavering defense of global human rights. He served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2014 to 2018, making history as the first Muslim and Arab to hold the position. During his tenure, he gained international recognition for his outspoken criticism of human rights abuses by powerful nations.A veteran of international justice, Zeid played a central role in the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC), serving as the first president of its governing body in 2002. His career also includes representing Jordan as Ambassador to the United Nations and the United States.Currently, he is the President and CEO of the International Peace Institute and a Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2019, he joined The Elders, an independent group of global leaders working for peace and justice.
María Corina Machado
Prize for Freedom 2019
María Corina Machado (born 1967) is a Venezuelan industrial engineer and prominent opposition leader who has spent over two decades advocating for democratic reform. In 2025, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her "tireless work promoting democratic rights" and her efforts to achieve a peaceful transition from authoritarian rule.A former member of the National Assembly (2011–2014), Machado co-founded the vote-monitoring group Súmate and the political party Vente Venezuela. Although barred from running in the 2024 presidential election, she led a massive campaign for her ally Edmundo González, utilizing a network of volunteers to prove widespread election fraud.Following intensified state repression, Machado spent much of 2025 in hiding before escaping to Norway in a secret mission to receive her Nobel Prize. As of early 2026, she remains a central figure in Venezuela’s political transition following the reported capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, continuing to call for the restoration of the rule of law.
Leila de Lima
Prize for Freedom 2018
Leila de Lima (born 1959) is a Filipino lawyer, human rights activist, and politician who has spent decades challenging high-level corruption and extrajudicial violence. She first rose to prominence as the Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (2008–2010), where she investigated the "Davao Death Squad." She later served as Secretary of Justice (2010–2015), overseeing major cases like the "pork barrel" corruption scandal.Elected to the Senate in 2016, she became the most vocal critic of President Rodrigo Duterte’s "war on drugs." Shortly after, she was arrested on drug-related charges that international observers labeled as politically motivated. De Lima spent nearly seven years in detention, during which she received the Prize for Freedom from Liberal International.Following the recantation of key witnesses, her final criminal charge was dropped in June 2024. In 2025, she returned to public office as a representative for the Mamamayang Liberal party. As of early 2026, she serves as a House Deputy Minority Leader, recently petitioning the Supreme Court to challenge the constitutionality of the national budget.
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Ilham Tohti
Prize for Freedom 2017
Ilham Tohti (born 1969) is a renowned Uyghur economist, scholar, and human rights advocate who has become a symbol of the struggle for ethnic justice in China. A former professor at Minzu University in Beijing, Tohti dedicated his career to fostering dialogue between the Uyghur minority and the Han Chinese majority. In 2006, he founded Uyghur Online, a website designed to address social issues and bridge cultural divides peacefully.Despite his moderate stance and rejection of separatism, Tohti was arrested in January 2014. Following a two-day trial that international observers decried as a "show trial," he was sentenced to life imprisonment for "separatism." His assets were frozen, and he has been held largely incommunicado since 2017.Tohti’s peaceful advocacy has earned him global recognition, including the Martin Ennals Award (2016), the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize (2019), and the Sakharov Prize (2019). As of early 2026, he remains imprisoned, with his daughter, Jewher Ilham, continuing to advocate internationally for his release.
Raif Badawi
Prize for Freedom 2016
Raif Badawi (born 1984) is a Saudi Arabian writer, blogger, and activist who became a global symbol for freedom of expression. In 2006, he co-founded the Free Saudi Liberals website, an online forum designed to encourage social, political, and religious debate in Saudi Arabia. His advocacy for secularism and a more open society led to his arrest in 2012.In 2014, Badawi was sentenced to 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes, and a fine of 1 million riyals for "insulting Islam." He received the first 50 lashes publicly in 2015, an act that sparked international outrage; further floggings were postponed due to his deteriorating health. For his courage, he was awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2015.After completing his decade-long sentence, Badawi was released in March 2022. However, he remains under a 10-year travel ban that prevents him from leaving Saudi Arabia to reunite with his wife and children in Canada. As of early 2026, he remains in Saudi Arabia, unable to travel or express his opinions freely online.
John Alderdice
Prize for Freedom 2015
John Alderdice (born 1955) is a prominent Northern Irish politician and psychiatrist who played a pivotal role in the Good Friday Agreement. Trained as a psychoanalyst, he entered politics to address the psychological roots of the "Troubles." As leader of the centrist Alliance Party (1987–1998), he focused on bridging the sectarian divide between Protestant and Catholic communities.Alderdice was a key negotiator in the talks leading to the historic 1998 peace accord. Following the agreement, he served as the first Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly. In 2004, he was appointed to the Independent Monitoring Commission, overseeing the cessation of paramilitary activities.A life peer in the House of Lords since 1996, he has also led global initiatives as President of Liberal International. Currently, he is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, where he explores the "psychology of terrorism" and conflict resolution.
Waris Dirie
Prize for Freedom 2014
Waris Dirie (born 1965) is a Somali-born supermodel, author, and world-renowned human rights activist who turned her personal trauma into a global movement. Born into a nomadic family, she fled across the desert at age 13 to escape an arranged marriage to a man five times her age. After working as a maid in London, she was discovered by a photographer, launching a high-profile modeling career that saw her grace the covers of Vogue and appear as a Bond girl in The Living Daylights.In 1997, at the peak of her fame, Dirie broke her silence about her experience with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This revelation transformed her into a pioneering advocate, leading to her appointment as a UN Special Ambassador. She founded the Desert Flower Foundation to eradicate FGM and provide medical care and education to survivors. Her autobiography, Desert Flower, became an international bestseller and was adapted into a major film. Today, she remains a tireless voice for bodily autonomy, recently featured in the 2024 Lavazza Calendar, continuing her mission to protect millions of girls from gender-based violence.
Dick Marty
Prize for Freedom 2013
Dick Marty (1945–2023) was a courageous Swiss politician and prosecutor who gained international fame as a relentless investigator of human rights abuses. A former state prosecutor in the canton of Ticino, he was celebrated for his fight against organized crime before serving in the Swiss Council of States for 16 years.As a rapporteur for the Council of Europe, Marty authored a groundbreaking 2006 report that exposed a "global spider’s web" of illegal CIA detentions and secret "black sites" across Europe. In 2010, he published another explosive report detailing allegations of human organ trafficking involving the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during the 1990s.Known for his "dynamic of truth," Marty spent his final years under heavy police protection due to assassination threats linked to his work. He passed away in late 2023, leaving a legacy as a man who fearlessly spoke truth to power, regardless of the political cost.
Colin Eglin
Prize for Freedom 2012
Colin Eglin (1925–2013) was a central figure in South African liberal politics and a persistent opponent of apartheid. After serving in the South African Army during World War II, he entered Parliament in 1958. In 1959, he was a founding member of the Progressive Party, breaking away from the United Party on a matter of principle regarding racial equality.Eglin served as the National Leader of the Opposition twice (1977–1979 and 1986–1987). He was a master political organizer who helped transform the anti-apartheid opposition from a single seat—held for years by his close colleague Helen Suzman—into a formidable parliamentary force. Nelson Mandela later described him as one of the "architects" of South Africa’s democracy for his pivotal role in drafting the country's post-apartheid constitution during the CODESA negotiations. Known for his "adaptive pragmatism," Eglin remained in Parliament until 2004, bridging the transition from minority rule to a multi-racial democracy.
Chee Soon Juan
Prize for Freedom 2011
Chee Soon Juan (born 1962) is a prominent Singaporean politician and the Secretary-General of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). A former neuropsychology lecturer at the National University of Singapore, he transitioned to politics in 1992 but was dismissed from his academic post shortly after, sparking a high-profile hunger strike.For decades, Chee has been a steadfast advocate for civil liberties, freedom of speech, and democratic reform. His "obdurate" style of activism—including public speaking without permits and staging protests—frequently led to arrests, jail time, and costly defamation suits from government leaders, which eventually resulted in his bankruptcy from 2006 to 2012.In recent years, he has adopted a more moderate image, opening a popular cafe, Orange & Teal, to foster community dialogue. In the 2025 General Election, he contested the newly formed Sembawang West SMC, narrowly missing out on a seat with 46.8% of the vote. As of early 2026, he continues to lead the SDP, focusing on social co-operatives and campaigning for electoral transparency.
Prize for Freedom Laureates (2010 ~ 2001)
Shirin Ebadi
Prize for Freedom 2010
Shirin Ebadi (born 1947) is a pioneering Iranian lawyer, former judge, and human rights activist. In 2003, she became the first Muslim woman and the first Iranian to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless efforts to promote democracy and human rights, specifically for women, children, and refugees.Ebadi was one of Iran's first female judges, serving as the President of the Tehran City Court before being demoted to a secretarial role following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Undeterred, she established a private legal practice and founded the Defenders of Human Rights Center. She gained international acclaim for defending dissidents and challenging discriminatory laws, often at great personal risk.Since 2009, Ebadi has lived in exile in London after facing intense government persecution and the seizure of her assets. As of early 2026, she remains a formidable critic of the Iranian regime, recently warning against nationwide internet shutdowns used to mask crackdowns on domestic protests.
Eric Lubbock
Prize for Freedom 2009
Eric Lubbock, 4th Baron Avebury (1928–2016), was a British politician and a relentless champion of human rights. He first rose to national fame in 1962 after winning a sensational by-election in Orpington, a victory that overturned a massive Conservative majority and briefly sparked a "Liberal revival." This win earned him the nickname "Orpington Man," a term used by the media to describe the rising suburban middle-class voter of the era.In 1971, he inherited his family peerage and moved to the House of Lords, where he spent the next four decades advocating for marginalized groups. He founded the Parliamentary Human Rights Group in 1976 and was a pioneering supporter of the rights of Gypsies, Roma, and Travellers, notably sponsoring the Caravan Sites Act 1968.A committed internationalist, Lubbock campaigned against caste discrimination, supported the rights of the Ahmadiyya community, and fought for democratic reforms in countries ranging from Peru to Sri Lanka. Even after the 1999 removal of most hereditary peers, he was elected by his colleagues to remain in the Lords. He died in 2016, remembered as a "scourge of tyrants" and a lifelong defender of the persecuted.
Padraig O'Malley
Prize for Freedom 2008
Padraig O’Malley (born 1942) is an Irish-born academic and world-renowned peacemaker who has spent decades facilitating dialogue in some of the world’s most intractable conflicts. Currently the John Joseph Moakley Distinguished Professor of Peace and Reconciliation at the University of Massachusetts Boston, O’Malley is celebrated for his unique "behind-the-scenes" approach to mediation.He played a pivotal role in the Northern Ireland peace process, notably convening the 1997 Arniston Conference in South Africa. This historic meeting brought Northern Irish political leaders together with Nelson Mandela and key South African negotiators, providing a crucial blueprint for the Good Friday Agreement. His expertise also extends to Iraq and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where he continues to analyze the psychological barriers to peace.An award-winning author, his works include Biting at the Grave and his 2023 book, Perils and Prospects of a United Ireland. His life and struggles with addiction were chronicled in the 2016 documentary The Peacemaker.
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Alaksandar Milinkievič
Prize for Freedom 2007
Alaksandar Milinkievič (born 1947) is a prominent Belarusian politician and physicist who emerged as the primary challenger to Alyaksandr Lukashenka during the 2006 presidential election. A former academic and deputy mayor of Grodno, he was selected as the unified candidate for the Democratic Opposition, bringing together various factions under a pro-European platform.Despite official results awarding him only 6% of the vote—an outcome widely condemned by the international community as fraudulent—his campaign sparked the "Jeans Revolution" protests in Minsk. His commitment to non-violent democratic reform and human rights earned him the 2006 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought from the European Parliament.As of early 2026, Milinkievič continues to be a respected elder statesman for the Belarusian democratic movement. He currently serves as the Chancellor of the Free Belarusian University, an initiative aimed at providing European-standard education to Belarusian students hindered by political repression at home.
Sam Rainsy
Prize for Freedom 2006
Sam Rainsy (born 1949) is a French-educated economist and the most prominent opposition figure in Cambodia’s modern history. After serving as Finance Minister in the early 1990s, he was expelled from the government for his vocal anti-corruption stance. In 1995, he founded the party that would later become the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), and in 2012, he co-founded the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), which posed the most significant democratic challenge to the decades-long rule of Hun Sen.Rainsy has spent much of the last two decades in exile to avoid a litany of politically motivated charges, including defamation and "incitement." Despite being sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment, he remains a defiant symbol of resistance. As of early 2026, he continues to lead the opposition from Paris, recently announcing the formation of an "Independent Cambodian Government" to coincide with the anniversary of the Paris Peace Accords, while continuing to advocate for international sanctions against the ruling regime.
Antonino Zichichi
Prize for Freedom 2005
Antonino Zichichi (born 1929) is a world-renowned Italian physicist and a relentless advocate for "science for peace." A pioneer in subnuclear physics, Zichichi has authored over 1,100 scientific papers and is credited with several major discoveries, including the first observation of nuclear antimatter (the antideuteron) in 1965. His leadership was instrumental in the creation of the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso, the world's largest underground laboratory for astroparticle physics.Beyond the laboratory, Zichichi has dedicated his life to bridging the gap between science and society. In 1962, he founded the Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture in Erice, Sicily, which has hosted more than 100,000 scientists. He also serves as the President of the World Federation of Scientists, where he promotes the "Erice Statement"—a manifesto signed by over 90,000 scientists advocating for the elimination of secrecy in research to prevent planetary emergencies.As of early 2026, Zichichi remains active as an Emeritus Professor at the University of Bologna. He continues to oversee the International Seminars on Planetary Emergencies, focusing on global threats such as nuclear proliferation and climate change.
Grigory Yavlinsky
Prize for Freedom 2004
Grigory Yavlinsky (born 1952) is a prominent Russian economist and politician who has been a consistent voice for liberal-democratic reform for over three decades. An expert in labor economics, he first gained international fame in 1990 as the lead author of the "500 Days Program," an ambitious plan designed to transition the Soviet Union to a free-market economy.In 1993, he co-founded the Yabloko party, serving as its chairman until 2008. Throughout his career, Yavlinsky has been a principled critic of both the "shock therapy" reforms of the 1990s and the subsequent rise of authoritarianism. He ran for the Russian presidency three times (1996, 2000, and 2018), consistently campaigning on a platform of "Peace and Freedom."As of early 2026, Yavlinsky remains the Chairman of Yabloko’s Federal Political Committee. He has been an outspoken advocate for a ceasefire agreement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, arguing that a military solution is impossible and that diplomacy is the only way to prevent further tragedy. Despite increasing political pressure, he continues to lead Yabloko from within Russia, recently overseeing the party's efforts in the 2025 regional elections.
Abdoulaye Wade
Prize for Freedom 2003
Abdoulaye Wade (born 1926) is a towering figure in Senegalese politics who served as the country’s third president from 2000 to 2012. A French-educated lawyer and economist, he spent 26 years in the opposition, earning the nickname "Diombor" (the hare) for his political agility and persistence. His 2000 election victory under the slogan "Sopi" (change) marked the first peaceful transfer of power in Senegal, ending 40 years of Socialist Party rule.As president, Wade was a key architect of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) and oversaw significant infrastructure projects, including the African Renaissance Monument. However, his tenure was also marked by controversy, particularly his 2012 bid for a third term, which sparked widespread protests.As of early 2026, the centenarian remains the Secretary-General of the Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS). He continues to influence national discourse, recently supporting his son Karim Wade’s political ambitions and advocating for democratic stability within West Africa.
Helen Suzman
Prize for Freedom 2002
Helen Suzman (1917–2009) was a formidable South African politician and anti-apartheid activist who served in Parliament for 36 years. Initially a member of the United Party, she co-founded the liberal Progressive Party in 1959. For thirteen years (1961–1974), she was the only member of her party in the House of Assembly and the sole parliamentarian unequivocally opposed to all apartheid legislation.A sharp-witted debater, Suzman famously responded to government accusations of embarrassing the country by stating, "It is not my questions that embarrass South Africa; it is your answers." She used her parliamentary privilege to expose police brutality, forced removals, and the "pass laws" that restricted the movement of Black citizens.Beyond Parliament, she was a lifeline for political prisoners, famously visiting Nelson Mandela on Robben Island and advocating for more humane conditions. For her courageous defense of human rights, she was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and received 27 honorary doctorates.
Chen Shuibian
Prize for Freedom 2001
Chen Shui-bian (born 1950) is a Taiwanese lawyer and politician who served as the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 2000 to 2008. His election marked a historic turning point, ending 55 years of continuous rule by the Kuomintang (KMT) and making him the first president from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).A former human rights lawyer, Chen rose to prominence defending political dissidents following the 1979 Kaohsiung Incident. During his presidency, he championed Taiwanese national identity and sought greater international recognition for the island, though his pro-independence rhetoric often strained cross-strait relations. For his commitment to democratic values, he was awarded the Prize for Freedom by Liberal International in 2001.Following his tenure, Chen was convicted of corruption and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Since 2015, he has been on medical parole due to failing health. As of early 2026, he remains a polarizing figure; he recently faced the cancellation of a planned political talk show after authorities warned it would violate his parole conditions.
Prize for Freedom Laureates (2000 ~ 1991)
Asma Jahangir
Prize for Freedom 2000
Asma Jahangir (1952–2018) was a fearless Pakistani human rights lawyer and social activist known as the "Iron Lady of Pakistan." She dedicated her life to defending the most vulnerable, including women, religious minorities, and children. In 1980, she co-founded Pakistan’s first all-female law firm, and in 1986, she established the AGHS Legal Aid Cell to provide free legal assistance to the marginalized.Jahangir was a founding member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and made history in 2010 as the first woman elected President of the Supreme Court Bar Association. Internationally, she served as a UN Special Rapporteur on several critical mandates, including freedom of religion and the situation in Iran.For her "unbending principles," she received the 2014 Right Livelihood Award and the Nobel Peace Prize-affiliated Martin Ennals Award. Though she passed away in 2018, her legacy continues through the annual Asma Jahangir Conference, which remains a vital platform for democratic discourse in South Asia.
Lennart Meri
Prize for Freedom 1999
Lennart Meri (1929–2006) was a visionary Estonian statesman, writer, and filmmaker who served as the first President of Estonia (1992–2001) following the restoration of its independence. Born to a diplomat father, Meri was polyglot and cosmopolitan, but his life was marked by early hardship when his family was deported to Siberia by Soviet forces in 1941. He returned to Estonia in 1946 and became a noted scholar of Finno-Ugric cultures, producing acclaimed documentaries and books like Silver White that subtly preserved Estonian national identity under occupation.Transitioning to politics during the "Singing Revolution," Meri founded the Estonian Institute and served as the country’s first post-Soviet Foreign Minister. As President, he was a key architect of Estonia's pro-Western path, famously negotiating the withdrawal of Russian troops in 1994 and laying the groundwork for EU and NATO membership. Known for his "managed indiscretions" and intellectual wit, he remains a symbol of Estonia’s return to the European family.
Khalida Messaoudi
Prize for Freedom 1998
Khalida Messaoudi (born 1958), also known by her maiden name Khalida Toumi, is a pioneering Algerian feminist and politician. A former mathematics teacher, she became a prominent activist in the 1980s, co-founding the Algerian League of Human Rights and leading movements against the discriminatory 1984 Family Code. Her staunch opposition to Islamist fundamentalism in the 1990s led to her being sentenced to death by the Islamic Salvation Front, forcing her to live in hiding for years.In 2002, she made history as Algeria’s first female government spokesperson and served as Minister of Culture until 2014. For her defense of democracy and women's rights, she was awarded the Liberal International Prize for Freedom in 1998. However, her later career faced controversy; in 2022, she was convicted on corruption charges related to her ministerial tenure and sentenced to prison. As of early 2026, she remains a significant, though polarizing, figure in Algerian political history.
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Olusegun Obasanjo
Prize for Freedom 1997
Olusegun Obasanjo (born 1937) is a towering Nigerian statesman and the first African military leader to voluntarily hand over power to a civilian government. After serving as military Head of State (1976–1979), he retired to his farm but remained a vocal critic of subsequent dictatorships. His activism against the repressive Abacha regime led to his imprisonment in 1995, during which he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and awarded the Liberal International Prize for Freedom (1997).Following his release, Obasanjo was elected President in 1999, marking Nigeria’s transition to democracy. During his two-term presidency (1999–2007), he focused on economic reform, debt relief, and establishing the African Union. As of early 2026, he remains an influential "elder statesman," serving as the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa. He continues to mediate regional conflicts and recently advocated for labor reforms and diplomatic solutions to continental security crises.
Martin Lee
Prize for Freedom 1996
Martin Lee Chu-ming (born 1938) is widely revered as the "Father of Democracy" in Hong Kong. A distinguished barrister and former chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association, Lee was a key figure in drafting the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, before being expelled by Beijing following his condemnation of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.In 1990, he founded Hong Kong’s first major pro-democracy party, later becoming the founding chairman of the Democratic Party. For decades, he was the primary voice for universal suffrage and the rule of law, earning the Liberal International Prize for Freedom in 1996.Despite his moderate stance, Lee has faced increasing legal pressure under the 2020 National Security Law. In 2021, at age 82, he received a suspended prison sentence for his role in the 2019 pro-democracy protests. As of early 2026, he remains in Hong Kong, a symbol of the city's long struggle for political autonomy.
Aung San Suu Kyi
Prize for Freedom 1995
Aung San Suu Kyi (born 1945) is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and the daughter of Myanmar’s independence hero, General Aung San. She became a global icon of non-violent resistance during her 15 years under house arrest, leading the National League for Democracy (NLD) against military rule. Her 2015 election victory brought her to power as State Counsellor, but her tenure was marred by international condemnation over her defense of the military’s actions against the Rohingya people.In February 2021, she was ousted in a military coup. As of early 2026, the 80-year-old leader remains in detention, serving a 27-year sentence on various charges condemned as politically motivated. Recent reports indicate she is held in near-total isolation in Naypyidaw, with her son, Kim Aris, expressing grave concerns about her deteriorating health. Despite her isolation and the junta's recent "sham" elections in late 2025, she remains a potent symbol for the pro-democracy movement.
Sadako Ogata
Prize for Freedom 1994
Sadako Ogata (1927–2019) was a trailblazing Japanese academic and diplomat who served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) from 1991 to 2000. Known as the "Five-Foot Giant" for her diminutive stature and formidable negotiating skills, she was the first woman, the first Japanese citizen, and the first academic to lead the agency.Her tenure coincided with the most complex humanitarian crises of the post-Cold War era, including the Rwandan Genocide, the Gulf War, and the Yugoslav Wars. Ogata famously broke protocol by expanding the UNHCR's mandate to protect internally displaced persons (IDPs)—those forced from their homes but still within their country's borders—beginning with the Kurds in Northern Iraq.From 2003 to 2012, she served as President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), where she pioneered the concept of "Human Security." She advocated for a seamless transition between emergency humanitarian relief and long-term development aid. As of early 2026, her legacy endures through the JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute, which continues to apply her field-oriented approach to modern peacebuilding.
Mary Robinson
Prize for Freedom 1993
Mary Robinson (born 1944) is a pioneering Irish jurist and stateswoman who transformed Ireland’s social and political landscape. In 1990, she became the first female President of Ireland, a role she revitalized by focusing on the marginalized and the Irish diaspora. A constitutional lawyer by training, she spent her early career in the Seanad (Senate) successfully campaigning for liberal reforms, including the decriminalization of homosexuality and the right to legal aid.In 1997, she resigned from the presidency to serve as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, where she was an outspoken critic of human rights violations in Tibet and the United States’ "war on terror." Following her UN tenure, she dedicated herself to "climate justice," founding the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice to highlight the disproportionate impact of global warming on the world's poorest.As of early 2026, Robinson remains an active member of The Elders, a group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela. Though she stepped down as the group’s Chair in 2024, she continues to advocate for intersectional climate policy and recently urged international leaders to prioritize a legally-binding pandemic accord.
María Elena Cruz Varela
Prize for Freedom 1992
María Elena Cruz Varela (born 1953) is a distinguished Cuban poet, journalist, and former political prisoner. She rose to international prominence in 1991 as the leader of the dissident group Criterio Alternativo. That year, she co-authored the "Letter of the Ten," an open manifesto calling for democratic reforms and free elections in Cuba.Following the publication of the manifesto, she was subjected to a violent "act of repudiation" by a state-organized mob and subsequently sentenced to two years in prison for "illegal association" and "defamation." While incarcerated as a prisoner of conscience, she was awarded the 1992 Liberal International Prize for Freedom, which she eventually received in person in 1994 after her release and relocation to Spain.A prolific author, her works include Ballad of the Blood and Hija de Cuba. As of early 2026, she resides in Spain, where she continues to write and remains a respected voice in the Cuban exile community, advocating for the democratization of her homeland.
Domingo Laino
Prize for Freedom 1991
Domingo Laíno (born 1935) is a seminal figure in Paraguayan politics, widely regarded as the most persistent opponent of the 35-year dictatorship of General Alfredo Stroessner. An economist and lawyer by training, Laíno co-founded the Authentic Radical Liberal Party (PLRA) and spent decades enduring repeated arrests, internal banishment, and eventual exile for his pro-democracy activism.In the 1970s and 80s, his work exposing government corruption and human rights abuses—notably in his book The Merchant General—made him a primary target of the regime. After Stroessner’s 1989 ousting, Laíno returned to Paraguay and became a central figure in the country’s democratic transition. For his lifelong struggle for civil liberties, he was awarded the Liberal International Prize for Freedom in 1991.As of early 2026, Laíno remains an active voice in Paraguayan public life at age 90. He continues to advocate for social justice and land reform, recently warning against the return of authoritarian practices in South American governance.
Prize for Freedom Laureates (1990 ~ 1984)
Gitobu Imanyara
Prize for Freedom 1990
Gitobu Imanyara (born 1953) is a distinguished Kenyan human rights lawyer, journalist, and politician who played a pivotal role in ending one-party rule in Kenya. In 1987, he founded The Nairobi Law Monthly, a publication that became the boldest voice for democratic reform and the rule of law during the repressive era of President Daniel arap Moi.For his advocacy, Imanyara faced severe state persecution, including multiple arrests and detention in a psychiatric ward. In 1991, while he was imprisoned and suffering from a brain tumor, he was awarded the Liberal International Prize for Freedom. Because the government barred him from traveling, the award was personally delivered to him in Nairobi by the LI President.As of early 2026, Imanyara remains a prominent intellectual and legal figure. He is a regular columnist for major Kenyan newspapers, where he continues to defend the 2010 Constitution and critique executive overreach. He recently voiced strong opposition to the "National Infrastructure Fund" proposal, calling it a "constitutional red line."
Václav Havel
Prize for Freedom 1989
Václav Havel (1936–2011) was a Czech playwright, dissident, and statesman who became a global symbol of moral courage. After his bourgeois background barred him from formal education, he rose to fame with absurdist plays like The Garden Party, which satirized communist bureaucracy. Following the 1968 Prague Spring, his works were banned, and he spent years in and out of prison for his leadership in Charter 77, a landmark human rights manifesto.In 1989, Havel led the non-violent Velvet Revolution, transitioning from a political prisoner to the first democratically elected President of Czechoslovakia. He oversaw the country’s peaceful "Velvet Divorce" into the Czech and Slovak Republics and served as the Czech Republic's first president until 2003.As of early 2026, his philosophy of "living in truth" remains deeply relevant. Recent commemorations in Prague and Florence have highlighted his legacy as a "Green" pioneer and an unyielding advocate for human dignity against rising global populism.
Benazir Bhutto
Prize for Freedom 1988
Benazir Bhutto (1953–2007) was a monumental figure in global politics, becoming the first woman to lead a democratic government in a Muslim-majority nation. Educated at Harvard and Oxford, she inherited the leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) after the 1979 execution of her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. She spent years in prison and exile, battling the military dictatorship of Zia-ul-Haq before her historic election as Prime Minister in 1988.During her two non-consecutive terms (1988–1990; 1993–1996), Bhutto championed social welfare, women’s rights, and economic modernization, earning the Liberal International Prize for Freedom in 1988. However, her governance was frequently undermined by conflict with the military and persistent allegations of corruption.As of early 2026, her legacy remains a cornerstone of Pakistani democracy. Her son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, leads the PPP, continuing her advocacy for federalism and secularism. Her 2007 assassination in Rawalpindi remains a defining tragedy, cementing her status as a "Daughter of the East" and a global martyr for democratic resilience.
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Hans-Dietrich Genscher
Prize for Freedom 1987
Hans-Dietrich Genscher (1927–2016) was a towering German statesman and a master of diplomacy who served as the country’s Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor for an unprecedented 18 years (1974–1992). A member of the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP), he was a primary architect of German reunification and a key figure in ending the Cold War through his policy of active détente.Genscher’s most iconic moment occurred on September 30, 1989, on the balcony of the West German embassy in Prague. He announced to thousands of East German refugees that their passage to the West had been secured, a turning point that signaled the imminent fall of the Iron Curtain. For his tireless efforts to bridge East and West and his commitment to a federalist Europe, he was awarded the Liberal International Prize for Freedom in 1987.As of early 2026, Genscher’s legacy of "Genscherism"—a strategy prioritizing dialogue, stability, and "the politics of the doable"—remains a cornerstone of European diplomatic study. Recent memorial lectures in Bonn have emphasized his role in negotiating the Two Plus Four Treaty, which restored full sovereignty to a unified Germany.
Corazon Aquino
Prize for Freedom 1986
Corazon Aquino (1933–2009) was the 11th President of the Philippines and the first woman to hold the office. A self-described "plain housewife," she was thrust into the political spotlight following the 1983 assassination of her husband, opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. In 1986, she challenged the 20-year dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos in a "snap" election. Despite widespread state-sponsored fraud, she was swept into power by the non-violent People Power Revolution, a landmark event that "surprised the world."As president (1986–1992), she dismantled the machinery of dictatorship and ratified the 1987 Constitution, which restored democratic institutions and limited presidential terms. Her "Yellow Revolution" earned her the title of TIME Magazine's Woman of the Year.As of early 2026, her legacy as the "Mother of Democracy" remains a central pillar of Filipino identity. Recent national commemorations have highlighted her role in institutionalizing human rights, while scholars continue to debate the long-term impact of her administration's economic reforms.
Sheena Duncan
Prize for Freedom 1985
Sheena Duncan (1932–2010) was a pivotal South African anti-apartheid activist and the long-time leader of the Black Sash, a non-violent protest and paralegal organization. The daughter of the organization's co-founder Jean Sinclair, Duncan joined in 1963 and served two terms as national president (1975–1978 and 1982–1986). She was renowned for her mastery of the "pass laws," using her legal expertise to help thousands of Black South Africans navigate the bureaucratic labyrinth of apartheid.Under her leadership, the Black Sash evolved from a silent protest group into a vital source of legal aid for the marginalized. Her unyielding commitment to justice earned her the 1986 Liberal International Prize for Freedom and praise from Nelson Mandela, who noted her "formidable impact" from his prison cell.As of early 2026, Duncan’s legacy remains foundational to South African civil society. She is remembered not just as an activist, but as a "moral compass" who pioneered the concept of non-violent, expert-led resistance.
Raúl Alfonsín
Prize for Freedom 1984
Raúl Alfonsín (1927–2009) was a transformative Argentine statesman and the first democratically elected president (1983–1989) following the brutal "Dirty War" dictatorship. A lawyer and co-founder of the Permanent Assembly for Human Rights, he famously used his legal expertise to defend victims of forced disappearances long before taking office.His presidency is historically significant for the Trial of the Juntas (1985), the first time a civilian government successfully prosecuted its own former military leaders for crimes against humanity. To document these atrocities, he established CONADEP, which produced the harrowing Nunca Más (Never Again) report. For his role in restoring the rule of law and regional peace—including a landmark treaty with Chile—he was awarded the inaugural Liberal International Prize for Freedom in 1984.As of early 2026, Alfonsín is revered as the "Father of Modern Democracy" in Argentina. Despite the economic crises that truncated his term, his commitment to institutional stability remains the gold standard for Latin American democratic transitions.