May 18 Foundation Calls for Nominations for Gwangju Prize in Human Rights
Since 2000, the May 18 Memorial Foundation (Gwangju, Republic of Korea) has announced its annual call for nominations for the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. This Prize promotes the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising in which the people of Gwangju resisted brutal military forces for the sake of democracy and human rights in 1980. Historically, the May 18 Democratic Uprising brought democracy to Korea.
The prize goes to one individual or an organization that has struggled for or contributed to the improvement and advancement of human rights, democracy and peace in their community and country.
Nominations will be collected from 1 December to 6 February. Preliminary and final reviews of nominees will take place through February to March. The winner of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights will be announced on the first week of April. The official prize ceremony will be held at the May 18 Memorial Culture Center, Gwangju, on May 18, 2012.
Eligibility for the Prize
1) A person or group eligible for the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights nominated by another individual or organization. An individual cannot nominate him/herself and cannot be nominated by their own organization.
2) A person or group who has been struggling for justice and democracy for their community and country.
3) A person or group who has contributed towards democracy and human rights movements through their work in their organization.
The Prize
1) The prize winner will receive the prize money ($50,000 USD), medal and certificate.
2) The Prize will be awarded at the Prize Ceremony to be held at the May 18 Memorial Culture Center, on May 18, 2012 and the winner should attend the Ceremony.
3) The prize winner is expected to attend press conferences and a Special Celebration Concert on May 19, 2012.
Contact Information
Solidarity Team
The May 18 Memorial Foundation
Postcode 520-260 Sangchon-dong 1268 5.18 Memorial Culture Center Seo-gu Gwangju, Republic of Korea
Phone: +82 62 457 0518
Fax: +82 62 456 0519
Email: gwangjuprize@gmail.com
Please visit our website for the latest announcements
Laureates of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights
- 2000 Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão (National Council of Timorese Resistance, East Timor)
- 2001 W.P.J. Basil Fernando (Asian Human Rights Commission, Sri Lanka)
- 2002 Korea Association of Bereaved Families for Democracy (KABFD)
- 2003 Dandeniya Jayanthi (Monument for the Disappeared, Sri Lanka)
- 2004 Aung San Suu Kyi (National League for Democracy, Burma)
- 2005 Wardah Hafiz (Urban Poor Consortium, Indonesia)
- 2006 Malalai Joya (Co-laureate, National Assembly, Afghanistan)
- Angkhana Neelapaijit (Co-laureate, Human Rights Activist, Thailand)
- 2007 Lenin Raghuvanshi (Co-laureate, People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights, India)
- Irom Sharmila Chanu (Co-laureate, Human Rights Activist, Manipur, India)
- 2008 Munir Malik (Human Rights Lawyer, Pakistan)
The May 18 Foundation is also seeking international interns & hosts.