Nasrin Sotoudeh, an Iranian lawyer and human rights activist, won the Tulani Justice Award in Moscow in 2026. This award is given to lawyers who risk their freedom and security to defend democracy and the fundamental rights of citizens in authoritarian regimes.
Award Ceremony and Sotoudeh's Message
The award ceremony, in its fourth edition, will be held by the Human Rights Foundation and the Tulani Foundation in Moscow on October 15 (Mehr 22) in The Hague, Netherlands. In a message from Iran, Nasrin Sotoudeh referred to the execution of two protesters, the repression of citizens, and the imprisonment of lawyers defending the protesters, emphasizing that the struggle against tyranny continues.
Message from Nasrin Sotoudeh
Sotoudeh, in her message to the members of the Human Rights Foundation, while expressing gratitude for receiving the award, emphasized the importance of the shared ideals of human rights defenders and the necessity of continuing efforts in difficult conditions, considering this award an opportunity for reflection on shared ideals. She said: "Dear friends, please accept my warm greetings from Iran. These milestones in our lives compel us to look at the experiences of others in hard times so that we do not lose hope and continue our efforts."
Nasrin Sotoudeh also referred to the dire human rights situation in Iran, stating: "Last week, two young protesters in Iran were executed. Alireza Sepahi and Alireza Raeisi. Our struggle against tyranny continues."
This human rights activist concluded her message by saying: "I express my utmost gratitude for receiving this award." Sotoudeh, who has faced multiple judicial restrictions due to her human rights activities, has previously received several international awards. She received an honorary doctorate in law from York University in Canada in 2013 and was recognized as the first Iranian woman to win the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize in 2026.
The Tulani Justice Award in Moscow is named in memory of Tulani Masuku, a human rights lawyer from Eswatini who was murdered in 2023. This award aims to honor human rights lawyers who work in countries under authoritarian regimes.
