Human Rights Attorney to Receive Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage

A prominent human rights attorney from Zimbabwe has been named the recipient of the 2014 Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage, Georgia Institute of Technology President G.P. “Bud” Peterson announced today.

Beatrice Mtetwa has fought against injustice and defended press freedom for more than 20 years.  She has endured harassment and arrest as she advocates for human rights, social justice and women’s equality and advancement.

Mtetwa is the first woman to receive the prize and will be honored during a ceremony at the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts scheduled for Nov. 13.

“Ms. Mtetwa has endured a sometimes painful journey to achieve the larger purpose of freedom and justice for all,” Peterson said. “That is the promise of a democracy, and Beatrice Mtwetwa embodies the effort to fulfill that promise. There are some who, through great personal sacrifice and courage, impact the lives of countless individuals as well as those for generations to come. Ms. Mtetwa is one such person.”

The Ivan Allen Jr. Prize for Social Courage recognizes individuals who, by standing up for clear moral principles in the social arena, have positively affected public discourse at the risk of their own careers, livelihoods and even their lives.

The selection of Mtetwa comes at a time when government leaders in Zimbabwe are again persecuting human rights defenders.

“I am hoping that the message that will be sent out there is that one can be true to their beliefs regardless of whatever dangers might be lurking in the background,” she wrote in an email. “If more of us were prepared to do this kind of work, it would be more difficult to target them for persecution, and it is my hope that this award will help swell the numbers of people prepared to stand up for what is right.”

Mtetwa has been physically assaulted and has had her life threatened. Still, she continues to champion civil activists and local and international journalists.

She also works to protect the rights of women and children; to preserve the essential rights of peaceful assembly, association and speech; and to help farmers wrongfully evicted from their land by the government.

The prize comes with a $100,000 stipend. Prior recipients include Sam Nunn, William Foege. and John Lewis. The Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation endowed the award in perpetuity.

More information on the prize can be found here:  http://ivanallenprize.gatech.edu/home/

Written by Laura Diamond