Since 1996, PGA has held the Defender of Democracy Awards in conjunction with its Annual Parliamentary Forum. The PGA Defender of Democracy Award honor individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and contribution to promoting peace, strengthening democracy and democratic practices, the rule of law, human rights, non-discrimination and/or gender equality. Their actions should support PGA’s vision, namely “to contribute to the creation of a rules-based international order for a more equitable, safe and democratic world.”
2024
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Hina Jilani (Pakistan)
Lawyer and Civil Society Activist
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Fawzia Koofi (Afghanistan)
Politician, Writer and Champion of Women’s Rights
2022
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Dr. Luis Fondebrider
Co-founder and Current President Equipo Argentino de Antropología Forense (EAAF)
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Ms. Oleksandra Matviichuk
Chairwoman, Center for Civil Liberties, Ukraine
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Mr. Vladimir Kara-Murza
Russian opposition leader, journalist, filmmaker and human rights and democracy activist
2019
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Gégé Katana Bukuru
(Democratic Republic of Congo)
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The Democratic Process of Cabo Verde
2018
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Mr. Ahmed Mahloof
MP (Maldives)
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Mr. Oleg Sentsov
Film-maker (Ukraine)
2017
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Ms. Lamiya Aji Bashar
A voice for Yazidi victims of genocide and mass atrocities
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Ms. Emma Bonino and Don Virginio Colmegna
on behalf of ‘Ero Straniero – L’umanità che fa bene’
2016
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Hon. Moustapha Niasse, MP
Prime Minister of Senegal 1983 & 2000-01
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Fundación Zelmar Michelini
Uruguay
2015
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Ambassador Martin Sajdik (Austria)
Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations
2014
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Ms. Navanethem Pillay (Navi)
former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
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Mr. Abdelaziz Bennani
Co-Founder of the Moroccan Organization for Human Rights
2013
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Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva
Tonga
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Dr. Noor Jehan Panezai on behalf of Pakistan National Group
Pakistan
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Hon. Naveed Qamar, MP on behalf of Pakistan National Group
Pakistan
2012
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Ms. Teesta Setalvad
Human Rights Activist and attorney-at-law, India (awarded in 2004)
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Sister Simone Campbell
Executive Director of NETWORK
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Ms. Khady Koita
President of La PALABRE
2011
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H.E. Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma (Sierra Leone)
President of Sierra Leone
2010
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Prof. Dr. Feride Acar (Turkey)
Professor, Middle East Technical University, Ankara
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Ms. Belgica Mirabal (Dominican Republic)
Chairwoman, Hermanas Mirabal Foundation
2009
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Mr. Kailash Satyarthi (India)
Founder/Chair, Global March Against Child Labour
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Ch. Aitzaz Ahsan (Pakistan)
Barrister-at-Law, Senior Advocate Supreme Court
2008
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H.E. Mr. Leonel Antonio Fernandez Reyna
President of the Dominican Republic
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Rt. Hon. Don McKinnon
Former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
2007
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H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
President of Liberia
H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
President of Liberia
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Senator Ken Nnamani
Former Senate President of Nigeria
Senator Ken Nnamani
Former Senate President of Nigeria
2006
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Dr. Nafis Sadik (Pakistan)
Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific
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Mrs. Yukika Sohma (Japan)
Humanitarian and Human Rights Activist
2005
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Mrs. Mary Robinson
Former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner of Human Rights
2004
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Rt. Hon. Helen Clark
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand (1999-2008)
2003
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H.E. Mr. George Papandreou
Foreign Minister, Greece
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Dr. Chee Soon Juan
Secretary-General, Singapore Democratic Party
2002
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H.E. Mr. Philippe Kirsch
Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Sweden
H.E. Mr. Philippe Kirsch
Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom of Sweden
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Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi
Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan
Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi
Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan
2001
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Mr. Dipak Patel (Zambia)
MP, Former PGA member
Mr. Dipak Patel (Zambia)
MP, Former PGA member
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H.E. Kim Dae-jung
President, Republic of Korea
H.E. Kim Dae-jung
President, Republic of Korea
2000
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Sra. Estela Barnes de Carlotto (Argentina)
On behalf of Las Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo
Sra. Estela Barnes de Carlotto (Argentina)
On behalf of Las Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo
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H.E. Dr. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon
President, Mexico
H.E. Dr. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon
President, Mexico
1999
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Mr. John Hume
MEP, Northern Ireland
Mr. John Hume
MEP, Northern Ireland
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Dr. Hanan Mikhail-Ashrawi
Founder, Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy
Dr. Hanan Mikhail-Ashrawi
Founder, Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy
1998
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Prof. M. Cherif Bassiouni
Director, International Criminal Justice & Weapons Control Center
Prof. M. Cherif Bassiouni
Director, International Criminal Justice & Weapons Control Center
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Ms. Charity Kaluki Ngilu, MP
On behalf of the Multi-Party Group in Kenya
Ms. Charity Kaluki Ngilu, MP
On behalf of the Multi-Party Group in Kenya
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The Late Hon. Bella S. Abzug
Co-founder and President, Women's Environment and Development Organization
The Late Hon. Bella S. Abzug
Co-founder and President, Women's Environment and Development Organization
1997
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H.E. Arthur N.R. Robinson
President, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
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H.E. Jan P. Pronk
Minister of Development Cooperation, The Netherlands
1996
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Hon. Kristina Svensson
Swedish Ambassador to Zambia/Malawi
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Hon. Leonce Ngendakumana, MP
President, National Assembly, Burundi