Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize

Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been awarded the 2026 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize. Sotoudeh, known for defending women's rights activists and opponents of Iran's compulsory hijab laws, has faced repeated arrest and imprisonment in Iran. The prize, awarded by the Council of Europe-associated bodies in memory of the Czech dissident playwright, honours defenders of human rights and democracy.

Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been awarded the 2026 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize. Sotoudeh is known for defending women's rights activists and opposition figures in Iran and has faced repeated imprisonment for her work. The prize, named after the late Czech dissident president, honours individuals and organisations defending human rights in Europe and beyond, and the announcement is drawing attention to her long-standing legal defence of activists.