The William D. Zabel Human Rights Award

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Named after long-time human rights champion and Emeritus Chair of the Board of Directors, William D. Zabel, this award honors courageous activists and organizations on the frontlines of the struggle for freedom and dignity. Each year, we honor leaders and organizations that have distinguished themselves for their work advancing rights, justice, and equality for those suffering persecution and violations of their rights.

This year we will honor Cristosal in recognition of the organization’s unwavering commitment to justice, accountability, and the defense of human rights in Central America.
Read more about this year’s award winner.

Support Cristosal’s work directly.

Past recipients of the award include:

Clare Byarugaba (Uganda); Gwara Media (Ukraine); Grupa Granica (Poland); Karapatan (The Philippines); ALQST for Human Rights (Saudi Arabia); Miroslava Cerpas Hernandez of CIPRODEH (Honduras); Marta Pardavi (Hungary); Friar Tomás González (Mexico); Khaleel Aldakhi and Ameena Saeed Hasan (Iraq); Dr. Denis Mukwege (Congo); Ludmilla Alexeeva (Russia); Saad Eddin Ibrahim (Egypt); Asma Jahangir and Hina Jilani (Pakistan) and Albie Sachs (South Africa).

Award winners

2025

Critosal

El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras

2024

Clare Byarugaba

Uganda

2023

Gwara Media

Ukraine

2022

Grupa Granica

Poland