Every year, WOLA honors organizations or individuals who have worked tirelessly to promote human rights, democracy, and social justice in Latin America. Our awardees are organizations or individuals who exemplify a commitment to WOLA’s vision for the future, where human rights and social justice are the foundation for public policy.
For more information about the WOLA Human Rights Awards Ceremony and Benefit Gala, please contact Jillian Leslie at jleslie@wola.org.
Past Honorees
2022 Honorees
The Maya Achi women of Rabinal and the Maya Q’eqchi’ women of Sepur Zarco in Guatemala
– for their determination, over many decades, to bring to justice the paramilitary and military officials responsible for their sexual violence during the Guatemalan internal armed conflict in the early 1980s.
David Morales
– for his work in prosecuting the El Mozote massacre case that helped bring 17 ex-military officers to justice.
Representative Joaquín Castro
– for his unwavering commitment to human rights at the U.S.-Mexico border and in U.S. policy towards Latin America.
2021 Honorees
The Ethnic Working Group of Colombia’s Truth Commission
– who, despite immense personal danger and risk, are working to establish the truth of what Afro-Colombian and Indigenous communities experienced during Colombia’s armed conflict.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee
– for her career of bold and pioneering leadership promoting peace, social justice and human rights throughout the Americas.
Fundación Mi Sangre
– for their commitment and leadership in lifting up new generations that are committed to a culture of peace in Colombia.
2020 Honorees
Fray Matías de Córdova Human Rights Center
– for their commitment to supporting, protecting, and defending migrants, asylum applicants, refugees and their families on the Mexico-Guatemala border.
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar
– for her leadership in restoring the human rights of asylum seekers at a time when the treatment of this population is anything but humane and dignified.
2019 Honorees
Efecto Cocuyo, Independent News Source
– for their vital journalism of Venezuela in crisis and their courageous defense of democracy.
Congresswoman Norma Torres
– for her visionary leadership in Congress on behalf of human rights and justice in Central America.
2018 Honorees
Iván Velásquez Gómez, Commissioner, International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG)
– for his courageous leadership as head of the CICIG, a unique UN-backed agency working with Guatemalans to investigate and dismantle entrenched criminal networks.
Joe Eldridge & Maria Otero
– for their pioneering contributions to human rights in the Americas and their lifelong commitment to supporting the human rights community.
Thelma Aldana, Former Attorney General of Guatemala
– for her determined prosecution of the corrupt and powerful and her commitment to expanding justice to all Guatemalans.
2017 Honorees
Ford Foundation
– for its visionary leadership in the movement for social justice and human rights.
Kino Border Initiative
– for their courageous work on the U.S.-Mexico border, providing humanitarian aid to migrants and advocating for more humane policies.
“Both Ford Foundation and Kino Border Initiative, in their different capacities, are beacons of hope, courageously defending human rights in perilous times,” said WOLA President Matt Clausen of our 2017 honorees. “At a time when values like justice and human dignity are facing unprecedented threats, honoring the work of organizations like these is more important than ever.”
2016 Honorees
Bill & Paula Clapp, Founders of Seattle International Foundation
– for their visionary and catalytic commitment to human rights and economic development in Central America
Casa Alianza de Honduras
– for their critical and courageous work to protect children and adolescents at risk in Honduras.
At a time when more Central Americans are fleeing their home countries, WOLA’s 2016 Human Rights Awards focused on the urgent need to address the root causes of migration from the region—namely the high levels of violence, poverty, corruption, and impunity that plague Central America—as well as the need to expand access to protection for migrants who could qualify for asylum in Mexico and the United States. See below to watch the night’s program and see pictures from the event.
2015 Honorees
Justicia y Paz, the Inter-Church Commission for Justice and Peace in Colombia
– for playing a key role in working for peace and supporting victims of the violence and displacement
Tim Rieser, Foreign Policy Aide to Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
– for his commitment to human rights during his 30 years working in Congress
2014 Honorees
U.S. Congressman George Miller
-for his steadfast commitment to human rights and social justice
Dr. Claudia Paz y Paz, former Attorney General from Guatemala
-for her unfailing pursuit of justice and accountability
On November 12, 2014, WOLA celebrated it’s 40th anniversary with its largest gala to date. Over 420 guests gathered at Washington’s Union Station to honor two long-time allies of WOLA, Congressman George Miller and Claudia Paz y Paz. For video highlights from the evening, please click here.
Photography by Kendra Joy Photography
2013 Honorees
U.S. Senator Tom Harkin
-for his 40 years of congressional leadership on human rights in Latin America
Ambassador Milton Romani Gerner
–for pioneering the search for effective, human rights-respecting alternatives to the failed war on drugs
Marcela Turati
– for her courageous coverage of Mexico’s drug-related violence and her work to protect journalists who give a voice to its victims
On October 24, 2013, the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) held its annual Human Rights Awards Ceremony and Benefit Gala at the French Embassy in Washington, D.C. The WOLA Human Rights Award is an opportunity to honor inspiring people for their deep commitment to human rights and social justice in Latin America. To see highlights from the evening, please click here. To see photos of the event, please click here or scroll to the bottom of the page. The event was highlighted in the February, 2014 issue of Washington Life Magazine, which can be seen here.
2012 Honorees
Helen Mack
– for her work to professionalize the police and judicial system in Guatemala
El Faro
– for investigative journalism that shines a spotlight on corruption and organized crime
PASSOS Education and Training Center
– for innovative community programs to stop crime before it starts by working with at-risk youth in El Salvador
On September 19, 2012, WOLA awarded its sixth annual Human Rights Awards as part of its Human Rights Awards Ceremony and Benefit Gala, which took place at the Maison Francais in Washington, DC. The evening, based around the theme “Overcoming Violence: The New Human Rights Agenda,” celebrated the innovative work done by our honorees to address the growing rates of violence in their communities
2011 Honorees
Gael García Bernal, Actor
– for fostering deeper understanding and visibility of migrant issues.
Ambulante Film Festival
– for using documentaries as a tool for change.
The Education Corporation for Costa Rican Development (CEDECO)
– for promoting a successful and climate-smart economic model for small-scale farmers in Central America.
2010 Honorees
AFRODES: Association of Internally Displaced Colombians
– for its defense and promotion of human rights in Colombia.
Michelle Bachelet, Former President of Chile
– for her sustained and invaluable leadership on human rights in Latin America.
2009 Honoree
Tlachinollan Human Rights Center of Mexico
– for their courageous work to address the grave human rights violations of the vulnerable and marginalized indigenous populations in the state of Guerrero.
2008 Honorees
Secretary General José Miguel Insulza, Organization of American States
– for revitalizing the OAS’ role as a forum for strengthening democracy, promoting human rights, and facing shared problems.
U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd
– for his leadership role on Latin American issues throughout his tenure in the Congress.
2007 Honorees
The University of Central America (UCA), El Salvador
– for its consistent and effective work to end human rights abuses and impunity over two decades.
U.S. Congressman James P. McGovern
– for for his defense of human rights in Colombia and his work to provide funding for economic and social needs over
military assistance.
2006 Honorees
Mercedes Doretti, Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team
– for its contribution to the search for truth, justice, and prevention of and reparation for human rights violations.
Fredy Peccerelli, Forensic Anthropology Team of Guatemala
– for their efforts to provide answers and solace to thousands of families of the disappeared in Guatemala.