Gwangju Prize for Human Rights

The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights (Korean광주 인권상; Hanja光州人權賞) is an award given by the South Korean May 18 Memorial Foundation to recognize "individuals, groups or institutions in Korea and abroad that have contributed in promoting and advancing human rights, democracy and peace through their work."[1] The award is intended to commemorate the spirit of the May 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement (also known as "518" for its 18 May start), in which pro-democracy citizens battled soldiers in protest of the military reign of Chun Doo-hwan.[1][2] As the organization's website explains, "Gwangju received valuable help from others while undertaking the struggle to examine the truth behind the May 18 uprising, and while striving to develop true democracy. In response, we would like to give something back to those who supported our cause for peace and democracy."[1] As of 2011, the prize carried a cash award of US$50,000.[3]

On 18 December 2018, the May 18 Memorial Foundation announced its cancellation of Suu Kyi's award due to her inaction in ceasing the inhumane acts and human rights atrocities against the Rohingya people.

List of Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Laureates edit

Year[1] Awardee[1] Country[1]
2023 Chow Hang-tung Hong Kong
2022 Cynthia Maung Myanmar
2021 Arnon Nampa[4] Thailand
2020 Bedjo Untung Indonesia
2019 Joanna Cariño Philippines
2018 Fr. Nandana Manatunga Sri Lanka
2017 Jatupat Boonpattararaksa Thailand
2016 Nguyen Dan Que Vietnam
Bersih Malaysia
2015 Latifah Anum Siregar Indonesia
2014 Adilur Rahman Khan Bangladesh
Mothers of Khavaran Iran
2013 H.I.J.O.S Argentina
2012 Mun Jeong Hyeon South Korea
2011 Binayak Sen India
2010 Sushil Pyakurel Nepal
2009 Min Ko Naing Myanmar
2008 Muneer A. Malik Pakistan
2007 Irom Chanu Sharmila India
Lenin Raghuvanshi India
2006 Malalai Joya Afghanistan
Angkhana Neelaphaijit Thailand
2005 Wardah Hafidz Indonesia
2004 Aung San Suu Kyi (withdrawn) Myanmar
2003 Dandeniya Gamage Jayanthi Sri Lanka
2002 Korean Association of Bereaved Families for Democracy South Korea
2001 Basil Fernando Sri Lanka
2000 Xanana Gusmão East Timor

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Gwangju Prize for Human Rights". May 18 Memorial Foundation. Archived from the original on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  2. ^ Becky Branford (18 May 2005). "Lingering legacy of Korean massacre". BBC News. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  3. ^ "Binayak Sen awarded human rights prize". IANS. 22 April 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  4. ^ ‘อานนท์ นำภา’ คว้ารางวัล ‘กวางจูสิทธิมนุษยชน 2021’ จากประเทศเกาหลีใต้