Lantos Human Rights Prize

The Lantos Human Rights Prize is being established by the Lantos Foundation, in the tradition of renowned prizes such as the Nobel Peace Prize or the Goldman Environmental Prize, to honor and bring attention to the often unsung heroes of the human rights movement. The Prize will be awarded in the hopes of raising awareness about specific human rights violations and the brave men and women struggling to right these wrongs against humanity. It will also be awarded in an effort to draw attention to human rights issues around the globe — to alert the media and governments to the importance of making human rights a priority on equal footing with other policy decisions.

Qualifications for the Prize

The Lantos Prize will be awarded on an annual basis to the individual or organization that best exemplifies the mission of the Lantos Foundation, namely to be a vital voice standing up for the values of decency, dignity, freedom, and justice in every corner of the world. The Foundation seeks to educate and advocate on behalf of the simple yet profound truth that we are indeed our brothers' keepers, and the recipient of the Lantos Prize will effectively put that truth into action by being actively engaged in the fight for worldwide human rights.

In choosing the recipient, the Foundation will accept confidential nominations from around the globe and will compile a final list of appropriate nominees. A distinguished jury will determine which candidate is most deserving of the Prize.

Benefits for Prize Recipients

Winners of the Lantos Human Rights Prize will enjoy the benefits of:

  • Increased global visibility for their cause
  • Increased credibility among world governments and members of the press
  • Increased access to world leaders and leading human rights activists, through meetings set up by the Lantos Foundation following the recipient's selection
  • A significant award, to be used for supporting and furthering their human rights work

Public Impact of the Lantos Prize

The Lantos Foundation also hopes to use this prize as a means to communicate the importance of human rights issues and educate the general public about the significance of preserving human rights for all peoples of the world. The annual announcement and celebration of the Lantos Prize recipient will also act as an opportunity to engage the public in a discussion about the pressing human rights issues of the day and inspire others to join the fight for global human rights.

Download a pdf brochure about the Lantos Prize »

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