The American Bar Association’s International Human Rights Award was established to honor and give public recognition to an individual or organization that has made an exceptional contribution to the advancement of human rights outside of the United States. Given on behalf of the Association’s Center for Human Rights, Section of International Law, Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, Section of Litigation, and Rule of Initiative, the 2018 award will be presented at the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois.

Award Criteria

To be considered for the award, a nominee must have made substantial and long-term contributions in furtherance of civil rights, civil liberties, and/or human rights outside the United States. A “substantial” contribution shall be considered to be one demonstrating a level of dedication or achievement beyond that expected in the normal course of an individual's or organization's work.

A strong candidate for the award should have demonstrated one or more of the following criteria:

• Nominees must have sustained, exceptional, and direct representation of or advocacy for persons outside of the United States whose human rights have been violated; and/or
• Nominees must have created or significantly expanded access to a legal system for persons outside the United States whose human rights may be or have been violated; and/or
• Nominees must have direct representation in one or more cases that resulted in significant benefits to persons or groups outside the United States whose human rights are or were on the verge of being violated.

Nomination Package

• Nomination form (download or submitted online);
• Award criteria narrative;
• Resume or CV;
• Biography; and
• Letters of support

The nomination form and accompanying materials must be sent electronically or submitted online by February 9, 2018. The nomination package should be sent to: CRSJ@americanbar.org. Questions on the application process can also be directed to: CRSJ@americanbar.org.