Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh awarded Thulani Maseko Justice Prize

Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has received the Thulani Maseko Justice Prize 2026 for her contributions to protecting fundamental rights and advancing the rule of law. The award recognizes legal professionals working under authoritarian regimes.

Sotoudeh, born in Tehran in 1963, has dedicated her career to defending individuals facing human rights violations, particularly women. She has been arrested multiple times and imprisoned for significant periods. In 2019, she was sentenced to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes. Following her release on medical furlough in 2023, she has been re-arrested and her current status remains uncertain, though she is believed to be in Tehran under strict bail conditions.

The prize was established by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) in partnership with the Thulani Maseko Foundation. It honors lawyers who risk their lives and freedom to defend democracy in countries ruled by authoritarian governments.

The award commemorates Thulani Maseko, a human rights lawyer assassinated in Eswatini in 2023. Organizers of the Thulani Maseko Justice Award hope Sotoudeh will be able to attend the ceremony in The Hague.