Political prisoner lawyer and consultant Aliaksandr Kapshul, sentenced to 15 years in prison by the regime, was one of three finalists for the Global Advocacy Award.
Harvard Law School Advocates and Harvard Human Rights Journal (HHRJ) annually present the Global Advocacy Award to a human rights activist whose work inspires emerging practitioners to dedicate themselves to the advancement of human rights and human dignity.
In the selection process, candidates are judged on:
- Contribution to efforts to advance human rights and human dignity;
- Dedication;
- Application of innovative approaches to human rights advocacy;
- Ability to inspire and serve as a model for future human rights defenders;
- Capacity for advocacy efforts in support of systemic change.
Since August 2020, Aliaksandr has been an activist for the Belarusian Independent Trade Union (BNP). He has provided legal advice to Naftan employees and represented BNP members in courts. Aliaksandr Kapshul's work is an example of the important link between trade union organization and human rights, and demonstrates the ability of ordinary people to stand up to injustice in Belarus and around the world.
Aliaksandr Kapshul was one of the three finalists, and the winner was Issa Amro, a Palestinian human rights activist.
Source: law.harvard.edu