Executive Director of Chapter Four Uganda, Nicholas Opiyo, has expressed his excitement over making the final shortlist for the 2021 Tulip Human Rights Award.

The human rights lawyer and civil liberty activist is one of three finalists – Russian gender-based violence lawyer, Mari Davtyan, and Nicaraguan activist, Nunca Más – for the award.

The award, which is given by the government of The Netherlands, supports courageous human rights defenders in improving the observance of human rights worldwide.

‘Profoundly honoured to have made the final three for the prestigious Tulip Human Rights Award, 2021′, the Ugandan tweeted from his verified handle.

‘I may take the honours but this truly belongs to the dedicated team I work with at @chapterfourug [and] those who have the confidence to work with us’.

Nicholas led the campaign for the enactment of a law criminalising torture and drafted the initial bill that was enacted by the Ugandan parliament in 2012.

Chapter Four Uganda, which Nicholas established in 2013, works to protect civil liberties and defend human rights activists who are being persecuted in the East African country.

He was awarded the 2017 German Africa Prize, as well as Human Rights Watch’s 2015 Alison Des Forges Award.

He has also received various awards and commendation including the Commendation of the Board of Supervisors of the City of San Francisco in 2015 for his dedication to the defence of human rights of LGBQ individuals.

The winner of the 2021 Tulip human rights award will receive €100,000 in prize money and a bronze sculpture in the shape of a tulip.

The winner will be announced in December 2021

Source: Nicholas Opiyo

Photo source: Nicholas Opiyo