Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh awarded the Thulani Maseko Justice Prize
The prize celebrates legal professionals who risk their personal safety by defending democracy in countries ruled by authoritarian regimes
By Tom Clarke
On October 15th, the international human rights community will gather in The Hague to celebrate the work of Iranian lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, who is the recipient of the Thulani Maseko Justice Prize 2026.
This is the fourth edition of the Prize, which was created by the Human Rights Foundation in partnership with the Thulani Maseko Foundation. It recognizes courageous human rights lawyers who risk their lives and freedom to defend democracy in countries ruled by authoritarian regimes.
The Prize honours the memory of Thulani Maseko, who was assassinated in his home country of Eswatini in 2023. Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland) is a small kingdom in Southern Africa, and is one of the last ‘absolute monarchies’ in the world. Its King, Mswati III, has been in power for more than 40 years, and his regime is widely believed to have orchestrated the assassination.
“Thulani was one of the very few pro-democracy attorneys in Eswatini. He was relentless in his advocacy and efforts to protect minority groups and it ended up costing him his life. That is the reality for many who fight for democracy in countries under authoritarian rule. We wanted to celebrate his courage, so we created this award in his honour.”
Roberto González, Chief Advocacy Officer for the Human Rights Foundation (HRF)
Thulani Maseko
Lawyers in the line of fire
Quiet heroesThulani’s death was the catalyst for international human rights organisations to come together and shine a light on the work done by legal professionals working in authoritarian systems.
Although opposition politicians and high-profile activists might be more well-known, lawyers often face equal persecution and danger without the same level of recognition. Indeed, because of the nature of their work, they are usually in closer contact with regime officials, mediating and negotiating directly with people who might wish them harm.
Alexei Navalny and Rocío San Miguel
Past winnersThe Thulani Maseko Justice Prize celebrates these ‘quiet heroes’. Past winners include the late Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition leader and former attorney who died in prison in Siberia in 2024; and Rocío San Miguel, the Venezuelan anti-corruption lawyer who was detained by authorities for almost two years before being released when the United States intervened in the country earlier this year.
Photo credit HRF/Oslo Freedom Forum
‘When we read the news, it’s typically the politicians, the journalists, the activists who get the headlines. But attorneys are part of a critical group who support the push for democracy, opening themselves up to persecution and arrest without getting the publicity their efforts deserve.”
Roberto González
Nasrin Sotoudeh - A fearless thorn in the side of oppression
Nasrin Sotoudeh was born in Tehran in 1963. She has spent her career defending individuals facing human rights violations - particularly women.
She has been arrested multiple times and spent several years in prison. In 2019, she was sentenced to 38 years imprisonment and 148 lashes.
After being released on medical furlough in 2023, she has been re-arrested several times, and her current status is uncertain, though it is believed she remains in Tehran under strict bail conditions. Organisers of the Thulani Maseko Justice Award remain hopeful she will be able to appear at the ceremony in some capacity.
“Working as a defender of human rights in Iran is extremely challenging for anyone, but particularly for women. And Nasrin has suffered all the consequences of that. 148 lashes is effectively a death sentence because very few people can take that and survive. And yet she is undaunted in the face of oppression and continues to fight for the rights of the persecuted. She is an incredible attorney and an incredible human being.”
Roberto González
The Hague
“The Hague is more than a city. It’s a symbol of peace and justice and global order. We wanted to give the Maseko Award its own identity and character - and among all the cities in the world The Hague made the most sense.”
Roberto González
