The Magnitsky Awards are named after the Russian lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky, who was murdered in Russian police custody after exposing a massive government corruption scheme. His name has since become synonymous with the Magnitsky Act, which exists to freeze assets and ban the visas of human rights violators worldwide.
The Magnitsky Awards began in 2015 as a way to recognise brave journalists, politicians and activists in the field of human rights. In the past we have awarded individuals such as Boris Nemtsov, Senator John McCain, Jamal Khashoggi, Maria Ressa, Oleg Sentsov, Gulchehra Hoja and Geoffrey Robertson.
The event takes place in London every November to commemorate Sergei Magnitsky’s legacy. The Awards Dinner is attended by journalists, politicians, NGOs and civil society. The ceremony also allows the recipients of these awards the opportunity to point out – to a wide audience – the horrible injustices taking place in the world.