2020 Annual Awards

As the Chinese government has heightened repression at home and expanded efforts to export its authoritarianism abroad, Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement — a leaderless, people-led effort —has inspired the world. Two million people have turned out to stand together in defense of the rights and freedoms they are supposed to enjoy under Hong Kong law. Beijing’s sudden imposition of a repressive new national security law has made these efforts tremendously dangerous. Yet the people of Hong Kong remain committed to defending their rights for future generations in new and creative ways. Nathan Law, a former Hong Kong lawmaker and prominent pro-democracy activist, will provide remarks during the event.

The Freedom Award will be accepted by Samahir Ali Othman Almubarak, on behalf of the Sudanese Professional Associations (SPA). The Sudanese Professionals Association, an independent organization made up of doctors, pharmacists, engineers, lawyers, journalists, teachers and supporters, organized and led the citizens of Sudan in peaceful protests demanding regime change in 2018. As a direct result of these protests, dictator Omar al-Bashir was removed from office in April 2019. Today, the SPA is part of Sudan’s transitional government. 

The Freedom Award will be accepted by Dr. Amira Babiker Ahmed Osman, on behalf of the Organization of the December Revolution Martyrs' Families (ODRMF). The organization was created in response to the June 3, 2019 massacre of peaceful protesters by Sudan’s Armed Forces General Command. Their enduring mission is to ensure that justice for their loved ones is served and that their children did not die in vain. The ODRMF coalition serves as a watchdog guarding the values of freedom, peace and justice, and guiding Sudan toward a successful transition to democracy. 

Nazanin Boniadi is a British-Iranian actress who is known for her film and television performances in Hotel Mumbai, Homeland, Bombshell, How I Met Your Mother, and more. Boniadi is also a dedicated human and women’s rights advocate with a focus on Iran. She is an Amnesty International UK Ambassador, a member of the board of directors of the Center for Human Rights in Iran, and she was recently selected for membership in the  Council on Foreign Relations. Boniadi also produced a documentary film called Stateless that exposes the plight of Iranian refugees and other asylums seekers who were forced to leave their homes to find freedom and safety. See some of Nazanin's work here. 

The 2020 Annual Awards will feature remarks from Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, one of the country’s most important civil rights organizations. The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee is to secure equal justice for all through the rule of law, targeting in particular the inequities confronting African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities. Under her leadership, the organization has been at the forefront of tackling some of the nation’s biggest racial justice problems. 

Download the 2020 Annual Awards journal slides here.