Robert F. Kennedy believed that each individual holds the power to invoke change, that a single voice has the ability to declare an iniquity, and that each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope. In the spirit of Robert Kennedy’s ideals, The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award was established in 1984 to honor these courageous and innovative individuals striving for social justice throughout the world.
The recipients are chosen through an extensive annual selection process. Every year from January until February, the public is invited to nominate creative and courageous non-governmental human rights defenders and organizations. A panel of five independent judges then selects the honoree. The recipients are awarded based on their dedication and accomplishments towards social justice and their non-violent and creative tactics used to achieve their goals.
Click here to learn more about our eligibility criteria and selection process before completing the nomination form below. The deadline for nominations is February 15, 2011. To nominate a human rights defender for the award, follow the steps below.
- Click here to download the nomination form (Microsoft Word format).
- Fill out the form, answering all questions with as much detail as possible.
- Submit the form using the upload tool below.