The fourteenth Václav Havel human-rights prize – which honours outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights – has been awarded to Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh.
The prize was presented at a special ceremony on the opening day of the autumn plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
Nasrin Sotoudeh is a leading human-rights lawyer in Iran who has represented activists, journalists, minorities and children facing execution, while campaigning against compulsory hijab laws and the death penalty, despite repeated arrests, lengthy imprisonment and great personal risk. She was again arrested in April 2026 and released on bail in May 2026, amid ongoing concerns about her safety and the broader crackdown on independent lawyers and human-rights defenders.
In a video statement sent from Tehran, Nasrin Sotoudeh said the news of the award filled her with profound joy:
“In moments like this, we remember past struggles, we recall our shared ideals and we think of the individuals across the globe who stand with us. Then we arrive at the common ground of our aspirations, and say to ourselves: one day, they will come true. One day, the sun of freedom will shine upon our country as well. Perhaps on day, truth will find its way to our country too.”
Attending the ceremony was her daughter Mehraveh Khandan Heris, who received the prize on her behalf.
Runners-up and 2021 winner at the ceremony
The runners-up for the 2026 Prize were Iranian‑American journalist, author and women’s rights activist Masih Alinejad, who has become one of the most prominent voices of the Iranian opposition in exile, and Hungarian human rights lawyer Márta Pardavi, the co‑chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, who has long monitored the human rights performance of law enforcement and the judiciary in the country.
The 2021 winner of the Prize, Belarusian human rights activist Maria Kalesnikava, who was in detention in Belarus at the time of the award but released in December 2025, also addressed the Parliamentary Assembly.
Opening the award ceremony earlier, Parliamentary Assembly President Petra Bayr paid tribute to all three finalists:
“May your example strengthen human rights defenders everywhere. May it remind governments of their responsibilities. And may it inspire all of us to defend human dignity: not only with words, but with deeds.”
Heritage of Havel
The Václav prize is awarded each year by Parliamentary Assembly, in partnership with the Charta 77 foundation, “to honour outstanding civil society action in defence of human rights in Europe and beyond”. Named after Czech statesman, author, poet and dissident Václav Havel, who served as the last President of Czechoslovakia and the first President of the Czech Republic, it consists of a sum of 60,000 euros, a trophy and a diploma.
Since its creation, the Prize has been awarded to, among other notable indiviudals, Maksym Butkevych (2025), María Corina Machado (2024), Osman Kavala (2023), Oyub Titiev (2018), Nadia Murad (2016) and Ales Bialiatski (2013).
Video of the award ceremony (live and on replay)
