2021 human rights defenders awards nominees announced

The Defenders Coalition and the Working Group on Human Rights Defenders in Kenya have unveiled the nominees in various categories for the 6th edition of the Annual Human Rights Defenders Awards on Tuesday November 9, 2021 via their website.

Information on the rights lobby’s website indicates that there are 423 nominations in 2021.

The entries went through a rigorous selection by a committee of eminent persons within the human rights sector.

The committee settled on five nominees per category.

“The selection committee has done a thorough background check of these individuals just as previous years. All nominees had a strong case for recognition but the committed narrowed down to the individuals who have demonstrated immense effort in the promotion of human rights,” noted Defenders Coalition’s Executive Director Mr. Kamau Ngugi.

For the previous six years, the awards were presented in three categories; the Munir Mazrui Lifetime achievement award, the Human Rights Defender of the year award and the upcoming Human Rights Defender of the year award.

Human rights defenders Abdishukri Jelle from Garissa County, Athumani Muhammed from Mombasa County, Jaffar Masoud in Lamu, Julie Wanjira of Nairobi County and Njeri Migwi from Nairobi County have been selected under the Human Rights Defender of the Year Category.

In the Upcoming Human Rights Defender of the Year category, activists Davis Otieno from Nairobi County, Gerald Hayo from Mombasa County, Halima Dida of Isiolo County, Willie Oeba from Nakuru County and Loice Akinyi from Kisumu County will be eyeing the recognition.

Munir Mazrui Lifetime Achievement Award nominees will be unveiled during the awarding ceremony that will be held later this month.

In 2021, a new category was introduced to recognize the efforts of individuals who have demonstrated solidarity to the human rights movement at the global level.

“In the last five years of the awards, HRDs have been receiving recognition in only three categories. However, for this year and through a new category, we intend to recognize other individuals who have stood with activists in Kenya when no one else is there to identify with their work,” Noted Mr. Kamau.

The Human Rights Defenders Award was inaugurated in 2016 to honor and publicly recognize the important work of HRDs in Kenya, by giving out awards to individuals who have demonstrated courage, innovation and impact in the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The winners of the various categories will be unveiled at the awarding ceremony scheduled for 26 November 2021.