The ongoing genocide in Gaza has exacted a devastating toll on journalists, those who risk their lives to report the truth. Among the 44,000 killed in Gaza, 138 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, while carrying out their critical role of bearing witness, truth-telling and documenting atrocities.
The deliberate targeting and killing of journalists and press by Israeli forces constitutes war crimes under international humanitarian law. Despite these clear violations, no perpetrators have been held accountable to date and have continued to target journalists will full impunity.
To honour the extraordinary resilience, bravery and courage of journalists working in the most perilous conditions, Amnesty International Australia is proud to announce the inaugural Human Rights Defender Awards.
In a global context increasingly plagued by misinformation and disinformation, where journalism has spread across new platforms, and biases have been ingrained in the reporting of major media outlets, the need to uphold freedom of expression and opinion has never been more critical. The Awards honour those who have risked their lives to ensure and uphold the integrity of journalism, in protecting freedom of independent information.
The Human Rights Defender Awards celebrate excellence in human rights journalism and the remarkable courage and determination of journalists dedicated to documenting the realities of the Gaza crisis.
This year’s awards recognise individuals based on the significant impact of their fearless reporting on the genocide in Gaza, their innovative use of social media and citizen journalism to challenge traditional narratives and their ability to inspire action for justice.
Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson says:
“Freedom of the press is essential to enable democratic and free societies. Freedom of information is a fundamental human right. Journalists and the media are crucial to ensure transparency and accountability. Yet media freedom and the safety of journalists are under threat around the globe. Each attack on journalists is an attack on press, freedom and truth. Journalists are not and should never be a target.
“It is in this context that the Amnesty International Australia Human Rights Defender Awards honour excellence in human rights journalism and applaud the courage and determination of journalists who put their lives on the line to tell important human rights stories from within or on Gaza. The Awards honour those who have risked their lives to ensure and uphold the integrity of journalism, in protecting freedom of independent information.”
The 2024 recipients of the Human Rights Defender Awards are:
Bisan Owda, Palestinian Journalist, Activist, and Filmmaker
“Thank you, for the work, for the recognition and all the efforts you do to shed light upon this genocide. It’s an honor to accept this award.
“I’m here, in front of you, surviving more than 420 days. Surviving being killed by bombing, while I am helping my people by spreading truth and documenting the genocide. I don’t find anything more honorable on earth than defending the rights of defenseless people, the oppressed people.
“Thank you to all the rights defenders on this earth and thank you for this award. Free Palestine.”
Plestia Alaqad, Palestinian Journalist and Author
“Winning this award is a powerful reminder that our work is far from over. It fuels my determination to continue advocating for Palestinians, sharing their stories, and ensuring their voices are never forgotten.
“This is not just recognition of my efforts, but of the resilience and strength of my people, who continue to inspire me every day.”
Anas Al-Sharif, Palestinian Journalist at Al Jazeera Arabic
“This award is for every Palestinian journalist who has covered the events and crimes of the Israeli occupation in light of the ongoing war and siege on the Gaza strip. The day of announcing this award coincides with the day of my father’s martyrdom who was martyred inside my home after it was targeted by the army of the Israeli occupation a year ago. I dedicate this award to the soul of my father; may God have mercy on his soul.
“Despite the challenges faced by journalists in Gaza, we continue and practice journalism with all professionalism. We have been directly targeted and directly threatened. Our colleagues have been directly assassinated in order to stop the coverage of the crisis.
“However, we have not stopped because it has become a duty on the necks of us all. We, the Palestinian journalists in Gaza, must convey the suffering of our people. We must convey the crimes being committed against the people in the Gaza strip.
“What I hope to achieve is to provide international protection for the Palestinian journalists so they can continue, until their last breath, to transmit images and words from inside Gaza, in the complete absence of foreign and western media.
“I dedicate this award to every Palestinian journalist who continues to document inside the Gaza strip. I dedicate this award to all my journalist colleagues inside the Gaza strip. And of course, to the souls of colleagues that were martyred during this war and during their work in providing coverage.”
Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, Palestinian Journalist and Columnist
“I am honored and humbled to be included amongst the bravest journalists I know who are risking it all to keep us informed. They have taught me so much about what it means to bear witness, and what it means to be human.”
All Journalists in Gaza
Amnesty International is a global movement of 10 million people standing up for justice, freedom and equality. We work to free people unjustly jailed, bring torturers to justice and change oppressive laws. We shine a light on great wrongs by exposing the facts others try to suppress. We lobby governments, and the powerful to make sure they keep their promises and respect international law. Together, our voices challenge injustice and are powerful enough to change the world.
