Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize

Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been awarded the 2026 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize. Sotoudeh, long recognised for defending women's rights activists and political prisoners in Iran despite repeated imprisonment, received one of Europe's most prominent human rights honours. Observers see the award as international recognition of her sustained defiance of Iranian authorities and continued advocacy on behalf of jailed dissidents.

Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been awarded the 2026 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize. Sotoudeh, long known for defending women's rights activists and opposition figures in Iran and for spending years in prison herself, is being recognised for her continuing work despite sustained pressure from Iranian authorities.