Asma Jahangir, who passed away this year after decades of fearless advocacy for rights of the marginalized and fierce denunciation of the violators, was posthumously awarded the top UN human rights prize as the world body celebrated work of activists and organizations.
Asma Jahangir’s daughter, Munizae, a journalist and human rights activist, received the award at a UN General Assembly ceremony from President of the General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa. The ceremony coincided with anniversary of the landmark Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“I wish my mother was alive today to receive this prestigious UN award,” Munizae said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet attended the ceremony that paid tributes to Asma Jahangir’s contributions to advancing human rights and rule of law.
“The void left by her passing away cannot be filled,” Munizae said in an emotionally charged voice.
Asma Jahangir was one of the four winners of the award which was announced by the United Nations in October.
The recipients included Ms. Rebeca Gyumi, a Tanzanian activist for the rights of women and girls, Ms. Joenia Wapichana, a Brazilian activist for the rights of indigenous communities, and Front Line Defenders, an Irish organization advocating and working for the protection of human rights.
A lawyer by profession, Asma also served as the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions from 1998 to 2004, and as the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief from 2004 to 2010.
The list of the prestigious award recipients includes Nelson Mandela, Amnesty International, Jimmy Carter, Eleanor Roosevelt, Reverend Dr. Martin L. King and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, former UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan, wife of Pakistan’s first Pakistani prime minister, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan and leader of Pakistan People’s Party, and Malala Yousafzai, a prominent Pakistani education activist.
