Awards

The Silbury Prize

The British charity sponsors, the Silbury Fund, awarded Nabeel Rajab, former President of the BCHR, the Silbury Prize in 2011. This decision was made with the aim to promote Mr. Rajab’s work within the human rights field.

Ion Ratiu Democracy Award

The former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Nabeel Rajab, was awarded in 2011 the Ion Ratiu Democracy Award by the Washington based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The director, president and CEO of the center, Jane Harman stated that: “In such a tumultuous year, Nabeel Rajab’s efforts to peacefully advance democratic freedoms for Bahraini citizens, even in the face of considerable personal peril, are truly exemplary. He is an exceptional choice to receive the Ion Ratiu Award and I extend my sincerest congratulations”.

The Stieg Larsson Prize

Awarded to the then Acting-President of Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Maryam Al-Khawaja, for her “brave struggle to defend democracy and human rights. With the web and social media as tools and persistent activism and the free world as methods, Maryam Al-Khawaja has illuminated the injustices and inequalities of her home country in Bahrain”.

Baldwin Medal of Liberty

The President and CEO of Human Rights First, Elisa Massimino awarded the BCHR with the prestigious Baldwin Medal of Liberty stating that: “There are so many human rights defenders doing amazing work in many parts of the world, but I am delighted that the Medal of Liberty will be presented to the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, which continues to promote human rights under constant threat to the security of its members”.The Baldwin Medal of Liberty was established in 1989 and aims to award international human rights advocates.

The Martin Ennals Award, Final Nominee

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights was awarded with a prize from the Martin Ennals Foundation after being named as a ‘final nominee’ for its work reporting on human rights violations in Bahrain. The Martin Ennals Foundation stated that “despite harassment by the government, who warn of legal action against the Center’s members if they continue their activities, the BCHR provides information to international NGOs and the diplomatic community in Bahrain and advocates locally and internationally in support of demands for democratic change in the Gulf Kingdom”. The decision was made by the Martin Ennals Award Jury which consisted of the following organizations: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights First, the International Federation for Human Rights, the World Organization Against Torture, Frontline, the International Commission of Jurists, German Diakonie, the International Service for Human Rights and HURIDOCS. 

The Index on Censorship Advocacy Award

The Index on Censorship Advocacy Award (sponsored by Bindmans) was awarded to the BCHR with the aim to acknowledge campaigners or activists who have worked for change.

The Rafto Prize

Presented to the BCHR with the motivation for “their long and courageous fight for fundamental human rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of association in Bahrain.” The award was also given with the aim to raise awareness on the broadening violations against human rights that occurs in the gulf region and many western governments ignores. 

Paris Honorary Citizenship to Nabeel Rajab

The Council of Paris has unanimously awarded honorary citizenship to activist Nabeel Rajab, in recognition of his fight for freedom, democracy and human rights. This emblematic award distinguishes personalities fighting for democracy, respect of human rights and freedom. Among the laureates of the honorary citizenship of Paris are: Nelson Mandela, Shirin Ebadi, Dalaï Lama, Taslima Nasreen, Hu Jia, Ales Bialiatski, former vice-president of the FIDH.Co-founder and former president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), and founding director of the Gulf Center for Human Rights (GCHR), Deputy Secretary General of FIDH, Nabeel is also member of the Middle East Advisory Committee to Human Rights Watch.

Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize

Nabeel Rajab, the former president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) has been shortlisted for this award in the year 2018 where it has been awarded annually since 2013 to individuals or institutions for an extraordinary contribution to the defense of human rights.