In a recognition of her unwavering commitment to civil liberties, the Council of Europe awarded its prestigious Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize to Iranian lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh on September 28, 2026. The honor highlights Sotoudeh’s decades-long fight for women’s rights, the safety of political prisoners, and the abolition of capital punishment in Iran.
Sotoudeh was selected from a shortlist of three finalists, which also included Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad and Hungarian human rights attorney Marta Pardavi. The council commended Sotoudeh for campaigning against compulsory hijab laws and the death penalty, emphasizing that she has maintained her activism despite enduring repeated arrests, lengthy incarceration, and significant personal danger.
A prominent figure in the defense of activists, journalists, and members of religious minorities, Sotoudeh has faced severe legal repercussions from Iranian authorities throughout her career. Most recently, she was released on bail in May 2026 after serving multiple prison sentences.
Reflecting on the award in a video message from Tehran, Sotoudeh stated, “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.” This recent accolade adds to her distinguished history of international recognition, including the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, which she received in 2012.
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