Human Rights Award
The Human Rights Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of human rights and/or the promotion of the rule of law provincially, nationally or internationally. The award will be granted for devotion to the advancement of human rights and the rule of law over a long term or for a single outstanding act of service. Unless there are reasons to proceed otherwise, the award will be granted to one individual every two years.
The 2023 Human Rights Award recipient is Prakash Diar, a human rights activist and lawyer. Read the news release.
Call for nominations deadline: Monday, September 30, 2024.
Award criteria to be met by recipient
The criteria for the award are as follows:
- Must demonstrate an outstanding contribution to human rights and/or the promotion of the rule of law where the service is in accordance with the highest ideals of the legal profession; and
- Must not have received the award previously.
The award, in consultation with the proposed recipient's family/next of kin, may be granted posthumously.
Nomination process
Filing a nomination
To file a nomination, the Nominator completes the online nomination form. Only one online form is required per nomination. If you are a supporter of a nomination, you do not have to fill out the online nomination form.
The nominator must file a nomination package that includes the following:
- A letter of nomination setting out the reasons for the nomination and background information on the nominee's outstanding service and achievements as they relate to the award,
- A current curriculum vitae, and
- Letters of support from other members of the Law Society or the public supporting the nomination.
We encourage the Nominator to file the nomination together with letters of support as one package. You can file your nomination using the online form, email or by regular mail.
Nominations will remain active for consideration for two award cycles.
To file online
To file online, the Nominator follows the instructions to fill out the online nomination form. All supporting documents are uploaded onto the form.
To file by email
To file by email, the Nominator completes the online nomination form. The letter of nomination and letters of support are sent by email to submissions@lso.ca
Please indicate Human Rights Award and the name of the candidate being nominated in your subject line.
The letter of nomination, letters of support and other accompanying material submitted by email should be in PDF format.
To file by regular mail
To file by regular mail,
the Nominator completes the
online nomination form.
The nomination package is sent by mail to this address:
Human Rights Award Selection Committee
c/o Kathleen MacDougall
Law Society of Ontario
130 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N6
Selection committee
The award recipient will be selected by Convocation of the Law Society of Ontario.
Recognition of recipient
The award will be presented at a ceremony held by the Law Society of Ontario.
Past recipients
Hon. Irwin Cotler, PC, OC, 2014
Dr. Cindy Blackstock and Waleed Abu al-Khair, 2016
Dr. Fiona Sampson, 2018
Professor Payam Akhavan, 2021