The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights () 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." 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. 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." As of 2011, the prize carried a cash award of US$50,000.

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 YearAwardeeCountry2025 Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) Indonesia2024 Suganthini Mathiyamuthan Thangaras Sri Lanka2023 Chow Hang-tung Hong Kong2022 Cynthia Maung Myanmar2021 Arnon Nampa‘อานนท์ นำภา’ คว้ารางวัล ‘กวางจูสิทธิมนุษยชน 2021’ จากประเทศเกาหลีใต้ Thailand2020 Indonesia2019 Joanna Cariño Philippines2018 Fr. Nandana Manatunga Sri Lanka2017 Jatupat Boonpattararaksa Thailand2016 Nguyen Dan Que Vietnam Bersih Malaysia2015 Latifah Anum Siregar Indonesia2014 Adilur Rahman Khan Bangladesh Mothers of Khavaran Iran2013 H.I.J.O.S Argentina2012 Mun Jeong Hyeon South Korea2011 Binayak Sen India2010 Sushil Pyakurel Nepal2009 Min Ko Naing Myanmar 2008 Muneer A. Malik Pakistan2007 Irom Chanu Sharmila IndiaLenin Raghuvanshi India2006 Malalai Joya AfghanistanAngkhana Neelaphaijit Thailand2005 Wardah Hafidz Indonesia2004 Aung San Suu Kyi (withdrawn) Myanmar2003 Dandeniya Gamage Jayanthi Sri Lanka2002 Korean Association of Bereaved Families for Democracy South Korea2001 Basil Fernando Sri Lanka2000 Xanana Gusmão East Timor

See also

Indian Weekender article The Jakarta Post article Bulatlat article

References