Named after long-time human rights champion and Emeritus Chair of the Board of Directors, William D. Zabel, this award honors courageous activists and organizations on the frontlines of the struggle for freedom and dignity. Each year, we honor leaders and organizations that have distinguished themselves for their work advancing rights, justice, and equality for those facing persecution.

2026 William D. Zabel Human Rights Award will be awarded to:

The People of Minnesota

Accepting the award on behalf:
COPAL (Comunidades Organizando el Poder y la Acción Latina) &
The Advocates for Human Rights

This award will be presented on October 13, 2026 in New York City. Press release and more details to come.

Previous Winners

2025: Cristosal Derechos Humanos (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras)

2024: Clare Byarugaba (Uganda)

2023: Gwara Media (Ukraine)

2022: Grupa Granica (Poland)

2021: Karapatan (The Philippines)

2020: ALQST for Human Rights (Saudi Arabia)

Additional winners: Miroslava Cerpas Hernandez, CIPRODEH (Honduras); Marta Pardavi (Hungary); Friar Tomás González (Mexico); Khaleel Aldakhi (Iraq); Ameena Saeed Hasan (Iraq); Dr. Denis Mukwege (Democratic Republic of Congo); Ludmilla Alexeeva (Russia); Saad Eddin Ibrahim (Egypt); Asma Jahangir (Pakistan); Hina Jilani (Pakistan); Albie Sachs (South Africa)