Aziza Abdirasulova, a prominent human-rights defender from Kyrgyzstan, has been awarded the 2026 Raoul Wallenberg Prize by the Council of Europe. Abdirasulova was recognized for her tireless efforts in protecting fundamental rights, with a special focus on prisoners' rights, the fight against torture, and the right to peaceful assembly.
The award was presented during a ceremony in Strasbourg, where Council of Europe Secretary-General Alain Berset lauded Abdirasulova's immense courage and determination. He praised her for making a significant impact on human rights in Kyrgyzstan, often at great personal and physical risk.
"As one of the first independent human-rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan to systematically document torture and arbitrary detention, Aziza Abdirasulova has kept crucial facts on the record when silence would have been easier," Berset said. "Her work reminds us that the Raoul Wallenberg Prize brings the focus back to human-rights defenders, even in times of geopolitical crisis."
The jury emphasized that Abdirasulova, despite facing intimidation and harassment, refused to be silenced. Her organization, Kilim Sham, has played a key role in exposing systemic human-rights violations in Central Asia, providing legal support to victims, and mobilizing both national and international public opinion.
The jury also highlighted Abdirasulova’s essential work in promoting freedom of assembly and the right to peaceful protest, particularly in the face of severe official restrictions. "Her organization has been a vital source of credible information for the international community on human-rights issues in Central Asia," the jury stated.
In her acceptance speech, Abdirasulova reflected on the profound value of every human life, drawing a parallel with Wallenberg's dedication to saving lives during the Holocaust. "Over the years, I have consistently defended fundamental human rights: freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom from torture and cruel treatment, and freedom of speech," she said. "This work required not only professional knowledge but also great personal courage. I have witnessed hundreds of cases of torture, and in each case, I have tried to provide whatever support I could to the victims."
The ceremony, which took place on January 17, also included speeches from Roderick Liddell, Chair of the Prize Jury, Ambassador Harry Russ (Permanent Representative of Hungary to the Council of Europe), and Ambassador Nikolas Ebon (Permanent Representative of Sweden to the Council of Europe).
The Raoul Wallenberg Prize, established in 2014 by the Swedish Government and the Hungarian Parliament, is awarded biennially on the anniversary of Wallenberg’s arrest in Budapest in 1945. Wallenberg’s heroic efforts to save tens of thousands of Jews from the Holocaust serve as a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have on the fight against persecution and xenophobia.
The prize, which honors extraordinary humanitarian efforts, is awarded to individuals, groups, or organizations that demonstrate exceptional courage and commitment to human rights. The jury is composed of seven independent experts with recognized moral standing in the field of human rights and humanitarian action, appointed by the Council of Europe, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hungarian Parliament, the municipality of Budapest, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Lund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Raoul Wallenberg family.
