Announcement of the 2023 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Winners

The 2023 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee selected Hong Kong’s human rights lawyer Chow Hang-Tung as the recipient of the 2023 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Main Award and the Coordination Council of Iranian Teacher Trade Association Special Award.

Chow Hang-Tung is the vice chairperson of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, which has organized candlelight vigils to commemorate the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. However, she has been detained for “threatening national security” by the Hong Kong government, which demands her silence.

Since its implementation in 2020, Hong Kong’s national security law, which led to her detention, has become a tool to suppress freedom of expression, restrict peaceful assembly and association, and oppress civil society in Hong Kong. Numerous pro-democracy activists and human rights defenders have already been detained, and more than 100 civil society organizations have been dissolved or left Hong Kong due to the law.

The reality in Hong Kong is grim, and pessimism about its future is prevalent. However, we have not forgotten the determined fight for freedom and democracy that the people of Hong Kong have shown.

As a human rights lawyer, Chow Hang-Tung has tirelessly challenged the government’s unjust and unfair treatment of human rights defenders. Even now, as a prisoner of conscience, she continues to struggle against the system that oppresses the people of Hong Kong. Despite her imprisonment, she has become a symbol of courage and hope for the people of Hong Kong.

By awarding Chow Hang-Tung the Gwangju Prize for Human rights, we hope to convey to the Hong Kong government and the people of Hong Kong the solidarity of the international community by supporting democracy and standing for human rights in Hong Kong.

In addition, the 2023 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee selected the Coordination Council of Iranian Teacher Trade Association, which has dedicated itself to democracy and human rights in Iran through education under difficult conditions, as a special prize winner of the 2023 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.

The Iranian government uses a conservative interpretation of Islamic law to control every aspect of its citizens’ lives, ignoring and suppressing their basic human rights.

The recent people’s movement in Iran, known as the Hijab Revolution, is an expression of the people’s desire to address social inequality, polarization, and instability.

Education is the last bastion for a better future for our society. Educational inequality, poor quality education, and segregation for women under Islamic fundamentalism are pushing Iranian teachers and students to the streets.

Hundreds of teachers have been detained for demanding changes in Iran’s education policy, and students have been arrested at rallies and violence against children has been committed.

We stand with the Coordination Council of Iranian Teacher Trade Association, struggling for democracy and human rights with its people in Iranian society.

The 2023 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee strongly urges the governments of Hong Kong and Iran to stop the anti-democracy and anti-human rights abuses taking place in Hong Kong and Iran immediately.

We will also strengthen cooperation and solidarity around the world to ensure that Chow Hang-Tung and other Iranian teachers are released from detention and enjoy their rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

The May 18 Foundation supports the people of the world who have fought against militarism and authoritarianism and will work to ensure that today’s decision is a step forward for democracy, human rights, and peace around the world.