The price
The International Democracy Award Bonn e.V. aims to promote understanding between peoples, foster peace, break down existing enemy stereotypes and build mutual trust between nations. As a rule, the association awards the "Bonn International Prize for Democracy and the Rule of Law" annually. It is awarded to natural or legal persons who have rendered outstanding services to the establishment, safeguarding and further development of democracy. The prizewinners' actions should be based on a democratic attitude. The award ceremony is intended to draw the attention of civil society to the special achievements of the prizewinners and to encourage similar outstanding achievements.
The following overview shows the people who have received the award so far.
Award winner
Prof. Dr. hab. Malgorzata Gersdorf
With Prof. Dr. hab. Malgorzata Gersdorf, President of the Supreme Court in Poland, was honored on 8 November as a personality who is campaigning against the acute dismantling of the separation of powers in her country, the sixth largest country in the European Union (EU). "Upholding the rule of law is the supreme duty of every judge," she said in her acceptance speech. "Only through such an attitude can we guarantee citizens a sense of security and the rule of law." Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the European Parliament, assured Gersdorf of her support in her laudatory speech: "The European Parliament stands by your side. By the side of an independent judiciary. By the side of civil society, which stands up for democracy and the rule of law in the heart of Europe."
Leymah Roberta Gbowee
Leymah Roberta Gbowee, Liberian civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, was awarded the Bonn International Democracy Prize at a ceremony in the Old Town Hall of the Federal City of Bonn on November 16, 2018. The association honored her commitment to democracy, women's rights and human rights. In her laudatory speech for the prizewinner, Michelle Müntefering, Minister of State for International Cultural Policy at the Federal Foreign Office, paid particular tribute to the courage Gbowee has shown as the head and heart of the African women's peace movement.
Federica Mogherini
Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, has been honored with the fifth Bonn International Democracy Award. The association thus honors the tireless efforts of the EU chief diplomat for democracy and human rights in the many crisis areas of the world. Whether in Russia, Ukraine, Syria, Libya or in the very difficult Iran negotiations: the former Italian Foreign Minister gives the EU a strong voice in world politics. The prize was awarded on Friday, November 11, 2016, at a ceremony in the Old Town Hall of the Federal City of Bonn. Martin Schulz, then President of the European Parliament, gave the laudatory speech. Mogherini donated her prize money to a school in Barelias, Lebanon, which offers lessons for Syrian refugee children.
Reporters Without Borders
The international organization "Reporters sans frontières/Reporters without Borders" is the 2014 winner of the Bonn International Democracy Award. The association "Internationaler Demokratiepreis Bonn e.V." thus honours the outstanding commitment of the organization "Reporters sans frontières/Reporters without Borders" to freedom of the press and freedom of information in the world, which are an essential prerequisite for democracy and freedom. The award also honors the courageous work of the many journalists who are persecuted, imprisoned, tortured or threatened with death because of their reporting. The association commemorates the many people who have died sacrificing their lives for independent reporting from the world's crisis countries. The award ceremony took place on November 18, 2014 in front of invited guests in Bonn.
Prof. Yadh Ben Achour
Prof. Yadh Ben Achour is the 2012 winner of the Bonn International Democracy Prize. The association thus honors the outstanding role of the constitutional lawyer and president of Tunisia's first constituent commission in the transition from dictatorship to the first democratic elections. His work is characterized by the conviction that lasting peace and a free society in Tunisia can only be built on the foundation of the rule of law. The award is intended to strengthen his political commitment beyond the day itself and to honor Prof. Ben Achour as a representative of all democratic forces in Tunisia. The award ceremony took place on September 6, 2012 in Bonn.
Dr. Shirin Ebadi
Dr. Shirin Ebadi received the second Bonn International Democracy Award in 2010. With this award, the association honors the commitment of the lawyer, human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner to human rights, freedom and democracy, in particular against the oppression of women and children as well as politically persecuted people in Iran. The award ceremony took place on May 20, 2010 in the historic La Redoute ballroom in Bonn-Bad Godesberg.
Václav Havel
Václav Havel is the recipient of the first Bonn International Democracy Award. The association thus honors the writer, peaceful resistance fighter and president, who has rendered outstanding services to his country and relations with Germany and Europe through his courageous commitment to democracy, human rights, peace and freedom. The award was presented on April 24, 2009 at the Alexander Koenig Zoological Research Museum.