The Liberty Victoria Voltaire Human Rights Awards is an important event in the Australian human rights calendar. For more than two decades, the Voltaire Human Rights Award has been presented to a person or organisation for outstanding contributions to civil liberties and human rights. Award recipients have included journalists, activists, whistleblowers, lawyers, writers, students, cartoonists and comedians.

In 2016, Liberty Victoria introduced the ‘Empty Chair’ Human Rights Award, and 2017 saw the awarding of the inaugural ‘Young Voltaire Human Rights Award’.

Liberty Victoria has broadened its criteria for the awards to embrace those who have made outstanding contributions to civil liberties, human rights and free speech, with particular emphasis on progressing freedom, respect, equality, dignity and action.

We have chosen to emphasise action on freedom, respect, equality and dignity as four pillars of civil liberties and human rights.

We now seek nominations for the 2024 Liberty Victoria Voltaire Human Rights Awards. 

Nominations are sought for the following three awards:
 
The Liberty Victoria Voltaire Human Rights Award
To a person or organisation for outstanding contribution to or action on civil liberties, human rights and free speech, with particular emphasis on progressing freedom, respect, equality and dignity.

The Liberty Victoria Sophie Trevitt Human Rights Award
To a person or organisation for outstanding contribution to or action on civil liberties, human rights and free speech, with particular emphasis on progressing freedom, respect, equality and dignity. This award will be given to a person no older than 30 on 30 July 2024.

The Liberty Victoria Voltaire Human Rights Empty Chair Award
The Empty Chair Award will be presented in 2024 to a person who is worthy to receive the Voltaire Human Rights Award or Sophie Trevitt Human Rights Award, but cannot be present to receive the award due to the consequences of their exercise of or advocacy for civil liberties, human rights and free speech.

Liberty Victoria invites members to nominate a person or group you believe deserves to receive a Liberty Victoria Voltaire Human Rights Award in 2024. You can nominate as many people as you like in each category.

Current members of Liberty Victoria’s committees are not eligible to be nominated.

Nominations are not limited to 'natural persons' – organisations and other groups of people and movements are also eligible. If you wish to nominate an organisation, group or movement, please provide the name of an appropriate contact or spokesperson.

Please note: it is hoped that the recipients of the Voltaire Human Rights Award and Sophie Trevitt Award will be able to attend an event in November 2024 if possible (if you do not wish to make direct contact with your nominee, we can do so if they are shortlisted for the award).

Nominations close on 19 March 2024.

We look forward to receiving your nominations.

Kind regards

Michelle Bennett
President
Liberty Victoria