Winners of Human Rights Defenders Award 2024. (Photo: Juba ECHO/Social media).

The South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN) has presented awards to at least nine individuals including two women, for their noticeable efforts in defending human rights across various categories in 2024.

The ceremony was held in Juba on Monday to celebrate commitment of human rights defenders in promoting justice, equality, and social progress across the nation was attended by prominent stakeholders.

In the award categories, clergy James Ninrew won the Veteran Human Rights Defender of the Year for his lifelong dedication to human rights advocacy.

Rev. Ninrew actively campaigned and participated in the ongoing Lundin Oil trial in which the Swedish oil firm has been indicted for complicity in war crimes committed by then Sudanese regime in Unity State.

Two of Lundin’s most senior executives are accused of requesting Sudan’s government to handle security at one of the exploration fields, knowing that they would do so using their army and allied militias. This, according to the prosecution, resulted in the killing and mass displacement of civilians and the burning of entire villages.

Meanwhile, Daniel Laat Kon was awarded Outstanding Human Rights Defender of the Year for his exemplary role and achievements in advancing human rights. He is the Coordinator for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) in Lakes State.

Juma Tikol Marino won the Next Generation Youth Human Rights Defender of the Year category for his rising leadership in youth advocacy.

Meanwhile, Zahra Said Ali scooped the Women Human Rights Defender of the Year for her remarkable impact in promoting women’s rights, and Activist Steven Robo has been accorded the Greater Bahr el Ghazal Human Rights Defender of the Year for his human rights advocacy in the region.

Bol Deng Bol, a human rights activist and an expert in the civil society, was commended for his efforts in protecting human rights in the Greater Upper Nile region.  Mr. Bol has been actively engaged in peace lobby and advocacy for more than five years, as the chairperson of the Jonglei Civil Society Network.

The Greater Equatoria Human Rights Defender of the Year was taken by Juma Tikol Marino.

In another category, Maura Ajak was honored as the Climate Champion Human Rights Defender of the Year for her contributions to climate justice and environmental rights.

The last category recognized Abacha Ahmed Ibrahim Persons for championing the rights of persons with disabilities.

The annual awards serve to celebrate the role of human rights defenders in tackling critical issues, promoting equality, and building a more inclusive and just society in South Sudan.