Nasrin Sotoudeh is an Iranian human rights lawyer who represents activists, journalists, minorities and children facing execution. Despite repeated arrests and imprisonment, and considerable personal risk, she continues to fight for freedom and human rights.   

Unable to attend the ceremony, Ms Sotoudeh expressed her gratitude in a video message, and her daughter accepted the award on her behalf. The other nominees were Iranian-American journalist and women’s rights activist Masih Alinejad and Hungarian human rights lawyer Márta Pardavi. All three women embody the values and legacy for which the prize was created: courage, moral integrity and exceptional determination to defend human dignity and fundamental freedoms.    

The Václav Havel Prize is awarded annually during a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, in cooperation with the Charta 77 Foundation and Vision 97 Foundation, to honour outstanding work in the defence of human rights.  
The prize consists of a sum of EUR 60,000, a trophy and a diploma.  

CoE: Václav Havel Human Rights Prize ​2026

CoE: Václav Havel Human Rights Prize ​2026

CoE: Václav Havel Human Rights Prize ​2026

CoE: Václav Havel Human Rights Prize ​2026