UN Human Rights Award 2018 to Late Activist Asma Jahangir

Asma Jahangir, late lawyer and human rights activist from Pakistan has been awarded with the prestigious United Nation Human Rights Prize for 2018. United Nation Human Rights Prize is given to individuals and organisations in recognition to their outstanding work in the field of human rights.

Asma Jahangir along with three other winners has been selected for the award this year, which is presented once in every five years. Other award winners include women’s rights activist from Tanzania, Rebeca Gyumi, Social activist fighting for the rights of indigenous Brazilian communities, Joenia Wapichana and the human rights organisation from Ireland, Front Line Defenders. 

Asma Jahangir became the fourth Pakistani woman to be awarded with the UN Human Rights Award. Before her, Begum Rana Liaquat Ali Khan (1978), Benazir Bhutto (2008) and Malala Yousafzai (2013) had been accorded with the honor.

Asma Jahangir was an outspoken critic of Pakistan’s powerful military establishment and has fought against religious extremism and for the rights of oppressed minorities in Pakistan. She has been regarded as a strong voice in the face of extreme pressure and opposition. She is also remembered as the champion of the disadvantaged section of the society and for her services towards building a democratic and more inclusive Pakistan. She died of cardiac arrest at the age of 66 years in February this year.

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has said that the work of the honorees and other human rights defenders across the world is an inspiration for the collective efforts to sustain peace and ensure inclusive sustainable development and respect for human rights for all, around the world.

He said in his remarks during the General Assembly’s United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights award ceremony, “Often their work is dangerous. We regularly hear of abuses against human rights defenders — murder, disappearances, torture, arbitrary imprisonment and other attempts to silence them. Yet, these courageous individuals and groups remain committed to shining a light on the dark corners of the globe, wherever human rights violations occur”.

Guterres also said the human right activists work to empower people through education and help in the protection of other human rights defenders from harassment, intimidation or arrest.

Asma Jahangir’s daughter Munizae Jahangir received the award on behalf of her mother from the President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa. Munizae Jahangir later dedicated the award to the Pakistani women and their courage.

The ceremony was held at the United Nation’s Headquarters in New York. The event also commemorated the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is celebrated annually on December 10. Previous winners of the award include Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter and Malala Yousafzai.