Three Exceptional Human Rights Advocates Honored with the 2025 Martin Ennals Award

Every year, the Martin Ennals Award shines a much-needed spotlight on extraordinary individuals who dedicate their lives to the defense of human rights, often at great personal risk. For its 31st edition, this prestigious award has recognized the remarkable contributions of three human rights defenders selected by a jury composed of ten leading NGOs in the field, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. This year’s recipients exemplify courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

The 2025 laureate is Ana Paula Gomes de Oliveira from Brazil, a courageous advocate who co-founded the ‘Mothers of Manguinhos’ collective. This organization emerged in response to the tragic killing of her son, a 19-year-old Black man, shot in the back by military police in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. The collective serves not just as a platform for advocacy, but as a vital support network for women grappling with similar losses. By uniting those affected by law enforcement violence, the group amplifies their voices, bringing critical attention to the disproportionate impact of such violence on Black and marginalized communities in Brazil.

Ana Paula’s poignant words resonate deeply: “When we are born Black and raised in the favelas, we are targeted by a racist system reinforced by public security policies based on death and imprisonment.” Shockingly, in the last decade, killings by police in Brazil have more than doubled, with over 6,000 reported annually in recent years. In 2023, Black individuals represented an alarming 82.7% of those fatalities. Hans Thoolen, Chair of the Martin Ennals Award Jury, has highlighted the urgency of addressing this violent epidemic, calling for the attention of both the federal government and the international community.

The collective of ‘Mothers of Manguinhos’ not only fights for justice, memory, and human rights, but also serves as a member of the UN Antiracism Coalition. Their efforts culminated in Ana Paula delivering a powerful message at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, focusing on the perspectives of the Afro-Brazilian community suffering from police violence.

The Martin Ennals Jury also recognized two finalists for 2025: Aloikin Praise Opoloje from Uganda and Saadia Mosbah from Tunisia, both of whom are dedicated advocates working within their communities to combat injustice.

Aloikin Praise Opoloje, only 26 years old, has emerged as a prominent voice in Uganda for social justice and human rights, particularly in her home district of Palisa. Motivated by the dire social and educational conditions prevalent in her area, Aloikin mobilized thousands using social media, organizing significant peaceful protests such as the March to Parliament and the Nude Protest. These movements have demanded accountability for government mismanagement, notably following the Kiteezi landfill tragedy. Despite the risks—including repeated arrests and ongoing legal challenges—Aloikin remains resilient, founding the WeThePeople movement to educate young Ugandans about their civic rights and nonviolent resistance.

Saadia Mosbah is another influential figure, co-founding Mnemty (‘My Dream’), Tunisia’s leading organization combating racism and racial discrimination. Through legislative advocacy and public awareness initiatives, Saadia has played a crucial role in launching national discussions on systemic racism and has contributed to the enactment of Anti-Racism Law No. 50 in 2018. She has also been pivotal in promoting migrant and refugee rights. Despite facing severe pushback, including intense smear campaigns and wrongful arrest, Saadia continues her vital work to uplift marginalized voices.