Former Czech President Vaclav Havel was selected for the 2006 International Gandhi Peace Prize for upholding human rights and world peace.

Havel was selected by a five-member jury chaired by Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that included four Indian dignitaries- Opposition Leader Sonia Gandhi, Chief Justice V.N. Khare, former President R. Venkataraman, and former Prime Minister I.K. Gujral. A statement released by the selection committee stated that Havel was chosen for the prestigious award because of "his outstanding contribution to world peace and for upholding human rights in the most difficult situations."

The government of India annually awards the International Gandhi Peace Prize, named after Mahatma Gandhi, for outstanding work and contribution to social, economic, and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods. The prize carries a cash award and a citation.

Previous recipients include former South African President Nelson Mandela and Irish Nobel Laureate John Hume.