The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights (Korean: 광주 인권상; Hanja: 光州人權賞) is an award given by the South Korean May 18 Memorial Foundation to recognize "individuals, groups or institutions in Korea and abroad that have contributed in promoting and advancing human rights, democracy and peace through their work."[1] The award is intended to commemorate the spirit of the May 1980 Gwangju Democratization Movement (also known as "518" for its 18 May start), in which pro-democracy citizens battled soldiers in protest of the military reign of Chun Doo-hwan.[1][2] As the organization's website explains, "Gwangju received valuable help from others while undertaking the struggle to examine the truth behind the May 18 uprising, and while striving to develop true democracy. In response, we would like to give something back to those who supported our cause for peace and democracy."[1] As of 2011, the prize carried a cash award of US$50,000.[3]
On 18 December 2018, the May 18 Memorial Foundation announced its cancellation of Suu Kyi's award due to her inaction in ceasing the inhumane acts and human rights atrocities against the Rohingya people.
| Year[1] | Awardee[1] | Country[1] |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Chow Hang-tung | Hong Kong |
| 2022 | Cynthia Maung | Myanmar |
| 2021 | Arnon Nampa[4] | Thailand |
| 2020 | Bedjo Untung | Indonesia |
| 2019 | Joanna Cariño | Philippines |
| 2018 | Fr. Nandana Manatunga | Sri Lanka |
| 2017 | Jatupat Boonpattararaksa | Thailand |
| 2016 | Nguyen Dan Que | Vietnam |
| Bersih | Malaysia | |
| 2015 | Latifah Anum Siregar | Indonesia |
| 2014 | Adilur Rahman Khan | Bangladesh |
| Mothers of Khavaran | Iran | |
| 2013 | H.I.J.O.S | Argentina |
| 2012 | Mun Jeong Hyeon | South Korea |
| 2011 | Binayak Sen | India |
| 2010 | Sushil Pyakurel | Nepal |
| 2009 | Min Ko Naing | Myanmar |
| 2008 | Muneer A. Malik | Pakistan |
| 2007 | Irom Chanu Sharmila | India |
| Lenin Raghuvanshi | India | |
| 2006 | Malalai Joya | Afghanistan |
| Angkhana Neelaphaijit | Thailand | |
| 2005 | Wardah Hafidz | Indonesia |
| 2004 | Aung San Suu Kyi (withdrawn) | Myanmar |
| 2003 | Dandeniya Gamage Jayanthi | Sri Lanka |
| 2002 | Korean Association of Bereaved Families for Democracy | South Korea |
| 2001 | Basil Fernando | Sri Lanka |
| 2000 | Xanana Gusmão | East Timor |
