Jury members selected the 2017 finalists for the Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk after receiving 142 nominations from 56 countries. The Award is presented annually to a human rights defender who – at great personal risk – has made an exceptional contribution to protecting and promoting the rights of their communities.

Nonhle Mbuthuma, South Africa

Emil Kurbedinov, Ukraine

Abdulhakim Al Fadhli, Kuwait

Pham Thanh Nghien, Vietnam

Francisca Ramírez Torres, Nicaragua

“These five defenders demonstrate the tenacity and will to persist in the face of severe, often life-threatening risks,” said Andrew Anderson, Executive Director of Front Line Defenders.

Learn more about this year's finalists