Press Release
Published on September 11, 2025
New York City — Human Rights First is proud to honor Cristosal with the 2025 William D. Zabel Human Rights Award in recognition of the organization’s unwavering commitment to justice, accountability, and the defense of human rights in Central America.
Operating in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras for over 25 years in the face of ever-present danger, Cristosal recently departed El Salvador after a wave of government repression that included arrest and imprisonment of a senior team-member. Undaunted, Cristosal continues its El Salvador work from exile and provides legal and psychosocial support to victims of grave abuses across Central America, defends the rights of refugees and displaced people, and works to hold powerful institutions accountable for violations. They also recently helped migrants and asylum seekers disappeared to the CECOT by the US government. Their work is a vital lifeline for families of the disappeared, survivors of torture, and communities unjustly targeted by security crackdowns.
“Cristosal stands as a beacon of integrity and courage in the face of enormous adversity,” said Uzra Zeya, President and CEO of Human Rights First. “Their team not only documents human rights violations with extraordinary rigor—they do so while under direct threat themselves. We are honored to celebrate their work to protect the persecuted and defend the rule of law.”
Despite facing smear campaigns and intimidation, Cristosal continues to elevate the voices of survivors and fight for systems that uphold justice and human dignity. Their efforts to expose extrajudicial detentions, arbitrary arrests, and the erosion of due process have drawn regional and international attention to the democratic backsliding in the region.
The William D. Zabel Human Rights Award is presented annually to a courageous advocate or organization that pursues the values of justice and equality personified by its namesake, Human Rights First co-founder and longtime global human rights champion William D. Zabel. Cristosal joins a distinguished roster of past honorees including Clare Byarugaba (Uganda), Gwara Media (Ukraine), Karapatan (The Philippines), and Marta Pardavi (Hungary).
Cristosal will be recognized at the 2025 Human Rights First Awards Celebration on October 14 at Gotham Hall in New York City.
For more information on the Awards Celebration, visit humanrightsfirst.org.
