WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2022 — The American Bar Association Center for Human Rights (CHR) will honor EarthRights International and Human Rights Watch with its 2022 Eleanor Roosevelt Prize for Global Human Rights Advancement during a reception next month at the historic Roosevelt House in New York City.
What:
2022 Eleanor Roosevelt Prize for Global Human Rights Advancement Reception
Sponsored by the ABA Center for Human Rights
When:
Thursday, Dec. 8, 5-7 p.m. ET
Where
Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College
47- 49 East 65th Street
New York, NY 10065
“The Center for Human Rights is proud to recognize EarthRights International and Human Rights Watch with the 2022 Eleanor Roosevelt Prize for their tremendous accomplishments in service of human rights around the world,” said Roula Allouch, chair of the ABA Center for Human Rights. “Their work, and steadfast dedication to it, are indispensable to achieving a just rule of law for all, and they are consistent with the tireless spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt, who is the center’s adopted patron saint and in whose honor the center established the prize.”
ABA President and past CHR Chair Deborah Enix-Ross observed that “human rights are the lifeblood of justice in the world, and those who dedicate their careers to the vindication of human rights therefore deserve special recognition by the legal profession. I look forward to celebrating this year’s Roosevelt honorees and their magnificent work on Dec. 8.”
EarthRights International is recognized for its record of transformative advocacy, from grassroots campaigns to landmark litigation, and securing justice for communities suffering human rights and environmental harms resulting from abusive corporate practices.
“We are honored to accept this award from the American Bar Association,” said Ka Hsaw Wa, executive director of EarthRights International. "For more than 25 years, EarthRights has partnered with Indigenous and frontline communities to challenge human rights and environmental abuses through our unique training, campaigning and legal programs. With global oppression rising and the climate crisis escalating, those in the legal field must join the fight and use the power of law to protect vulnerable communities.”
Human Rights Watch is recognized for its broad-ranging and influential advocacy in defense of human dignity worldwide.
“Eleanor Roosevelt played a foundational role in launching the modern international human rights movement,” said Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch. “Human Rights Watch is deeply honored to have our work acknowledged in her name. We especially welcome this recognition from the American Bar Association, given the pivotal role that so many lawyers in the United States play in promoting human rights and the rule of law around the world.”
With the blessing of the Roosevelt family, the Center in 2018 established the prize to recognize individuals and organizations having a positive, enduring and global impact in advancing the principles set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which Eleanor Roosevelt championed, and which forms the bedrock of modern human rights law. Past honorees include former Nuremberg War Crimes Prosecutor Benjamin Ferencz, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Billie Jean King and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Reflecting its namesake, honorees need not be lawyers.
Attendance at the Roosevelt Prize reception is open to the public and free of charge, but space is limited. Registration may be completed here.
The ABA is the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law.