Digital Series

Conversations that Matter with Right Livelihood Award Laureates

COVID-19 & Human Rights

Local challenges facing the Right Livelihood Award Laureates

Around the world, governments have had to take extraordinary measures to react to the COVID-19 pandemic. International human rights law guarantees everyone the right to the highest standard of health and obligates governments to take steps to prevent threats to public health. It also recognises that in this context, restrictions on some rights can be justified if they are proportionate, necessary, non-discriminatory and time-bound. 

Drawing on the experiences of the Laureates, we will explore the short and long-term effects that emergency measures have on human rights in their respective countries, and reflect on the role of the international community in safeguarding human rights and preventing abuses.

Read the first interview in the series with 2017 Laureate Khadija Ismayilova.

Digital Series

A Dose of Inspiration: How to stay positive and keep activism going amidst COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is not just a health crisis. It has profoundly changed our society and our everyday life. As people are staying home to slow the spread, we have put together a collection of inspiration and resources from the Right Livelihood Award Laureates to help you stay positive and active — even from your own couch.

Press Release

The Foundation decries Saudi cruelty resulting in the passing of imprisoned Laureate Abdullah al-Hamid

The Foundation is deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of 2018 Laureate Abdullah al-Hamid in Saudi Arabia. We condemn Saudi authorities in the strongest terms for al-Hamid’s unlawful imprisonment and inhumane treatment that led to his death.

“We are heartbroken about the passing of Abdullah al-Hamid. He has paid the ultimate price for his convictions. We hold Saudi authorities directly responsible for al-Hamid’s death, as they have deliberately denied him access to proper medical care for many months during his imprisonment,” said Ole von Uexkull, Executive Director of the Right Livelihood Foundation.

The Foundation has long denounced al-Hamid’s unlawful detention by Saudi authorities, during which he was tortured and harassed. When hospitalised in January, al-Hamid was recommended to urgently undergo heart surgery. However, al-Hamid was repeatedly denied crucial medical care since, leading to the deterioration of his condition and eventual death.

News