Let’s celebrate the people who help others. Let’s recognise their achievements in the field of human rights!

Do you know an individual, a group of individuals or an organisation that did something extraordinary to defend the human rights of others, who acted bravely beyond the call of duty? Whose deeds made a difference to people’s lives and are worth celebrating? Does their work deserve recognition and a prize of 10,000 euros?

 A l'initiative du Gouvernement suédois et du Parlement hongrois, le Conseil de l'Europe a créé le Prix Raoul Wallenberg, afin de perpétuer la mémoire des accomplissements hors du commun de ce diplomate suédois.

A partir de 2014, le Prix Raoul Wallenberg, d'un montant de 10 000€, récompensera tous les deux ans les accomplissements humanitaires exceptionnels d'une personne, d'un groupe de personnes ou d'une organisation. Le Prix sera remis au Conseil de l'Europe vers le 17 janvier – date de l'arrestation de Raoul Wallenberg à Budapest en 1945.

Le jury est composé de six personnes indépendantes reconnues pour leurs qualités morales dans le domaine des droits de l'homme et de l'action humanitaire, qui sont désignées par le Secrétaire Général du Conseil de l'Europe, le ministère suédois des Affaires étrangères, la municipalité de Budapest, l'Institut Raoul Wallenberg à Lund, le Haut-Commissaire des Nations Unies aux réfugiés (HCR) et la famille de Raoul Wallenberg.

Defender of disadvantaged population of “untouchables” in India receives Raoul Wallenberg Prize

Raoul Wallenberg Prize Strasbourg 17 January 2022
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Defender of disadvantaged population of “untouchables” in India receives Raoul Wallenberg Prize

Vincent Raj Arokiasamy, founder of the organisation “Evidence” in India, has been awarded the Council of Europe’s Raoul Wallenberg Prize for his outstanding determination and persistence in bringing meaningful change to the lives of the Dalits, historically known as “untouchables”.

“Vincent Raj Arokiasamy has risked his life to help an exceptionally disadvantaged part of the Indian population whose plight is often ignored by national and international communities. In defending human rights with incredible commitment and resilience, his courageous actions for the so-called “untouchables” fully reflect the spirit and values of the Raoul Wallenberg prize”, said Marija Pejčinović Burić, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

Vincent Raj Arokiasamy has demonstrated enormous courage and taken grave risks regarding his own and his family’s lives. He has rescued some 25,000 victims in 3,000 incidents of human rights violations. As a result, he has to live apart from his family to protect them. He has devoted his life to the cause of promoting justice for Dalits and others whose voices are rarely heard.

The award ceremony took place on Wednesday 19 January in a hybrid format. Speakers at the event included the Secretary General, the Chair of the Jury and the Laureate. A screening of József Sipos’s documentary on the life of Raoul Wallenberg “The Lost European” followed the ceremony. The documentary can be streamed online, free of charge, until 23 January. The film streaming is made available with the support of the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the Council of Europe.

17 January marks the anniversary of Raoul Wallenberg’s arrest in Budapest in 1945. The Swedish diplomat used his status to save tens of thousands of Jews from the Holocaust. His actions show that one person's courage and ability can really make a difference. Established in 2012, at the initiative of the Swedish Government and the Hungarian Parliament, the Council of Europe has created the Raoul Wallenberg Prize to keep the memory of his achievements alive. The Prize, worth €10,000, is awarded every two years in recognition of extraordinary humanitarian achievements by a single individual, a group of individuals or an organisation.


 Press release
Defender of disadvantaged population of “untouchables” in India receives Raoul Wallenberg Prize

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En 1944, à Budapest, le diplomate suédois Raoul Wallenberg s'est servi de son statut pour sauver de l'Holocauste des dizaines de milliers de juifs. Son action démontre que le courage et les capacités dont fait preuve une personne peuvent être déterminants pour amener chacun de nous à prendre position, et finalement à agir, contre les persécutions, la xénophobie et l'antisémitisme.

En raison de son rôle pendant la Shoah, l'État d'Israël a accordé à Wallenberg le titre de Juste parmi les nations. Il a également reçu le titre de citoyen d'honneur d'Israël, des Etats-Unis, du Canada et de la Hongrie.

Raoul Wallenberg a été arrêté par les Forces soviétiques le 17 janvier 1945. Son sort reste toujours un mystère à ce jour. On ignore ce qu'il lui est arrivé après son arrestation.