Human rights prize : for a more peaceful and just world

"The awarding of a human rights prize is an appropriate act to express the ethical responsibility of the sciences for a more peaceful and just world." With these words, the University of Graz announced the establishment of a human rights prize in 1991. Thirty-three years later, the rationale is more important than ever.

Simon Wiesenthal received it in 1994 for his fight for the rights of Jewish victims of National Socialism and the investigation of Nazi crimes. Conductor Daniel Barenboim received it in 2011 for his artistic and political work for peace in the Middle East. And Volker Türk, now UN High Commissioner, received it in 2016 for his work to protect people fleeing their homes.

The University of Graz honoured these and other personalities with its Human Rights Award. The University of Graz award is presented to individuals or institutions that have made an outstanding contribution to the realisation of human rights. Such as the International Platform for Belarus, which will receive the University of Graz Human Rights Award on 22 March 2024. The association is being honoured for its activities in exposing serious human rights violations and crimes against humanity.

"Even though we face many challenges today, there are many opportunities to make the world a more just and inclusive place. Through dialogue, cooperation and commitment, we can realise the vision of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and create a world in which everyone can live in dignity and freedom," emphasises Rector Peter Riedler.

The Human Rights Award is presented at irregular intervals and is decided by the Senate.

Andreas Schweiger

Related news

The digital world of tomorrow: University of Graz works with people to shape the future

Digitalisation is supposed to make everything better: artificial intelligence that even organises travel. The car that drives itself. Robots that care for us in our old age. But what kind of future do people actually want? What role should technology play in this? The University of Graz is exploring these questions through a new research facility. At the Graz Sociodigital and Participatory Futures Studio – or GraSP Futures Studio for short – young and old work together with researchers to design visions of the future that also critically examine technical innovations.

Superti-Furga will becomefounding director of the CORI Institute in Graz

The Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) is establishing a new flagship centre for research into metabolic diseases in collaboration with the three universities in Graz. This innovative research approach combines mathematics and experimental biology with artificial intelligence

A match for life

Stem cell donations save lives. However, the only way to determine who is ultimately compatible with whom is through a testing process. Pharmacist Marion Mußbacher explains the mechanisms behind this. On 6 May 2026, the ÖH and the charity “Geben für Leben” are calling for people to come forward for typing at the University of Graz.

A sign of freedom and democracy: University of Graz awards human rights prize to IAPB

The University of Graz awards its Human Rights Prize to the International Accountability Platform for Belarus for its crucial work in documenting serious human rights violations in Belarus. A clear signal for justice and a democratic Europe.