The Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue held the fifth edition of the Human Rights Recognition Awards (HRRA) in Geneva on Saturday, 13 December 2025, recognising individual leadership addressing human rights challenges arising from digital technologies.
The ceremony opened with remarks by Dr. Fabrice Crégut, Executive Director of the Geneva Centre, who underlined the importance of recognising concrete and tangible action in the field of human rights, particularly in digital contexts.
Opening remarks were delivered by Rt Hon Alistair Burt, Chairperson of the Geneva Centre’s Board, who highlighted the challenges posed by growing polarisation in digital and political spaces, where confrontation increasingly replaces dialogue, and warned that voices most in need of protection risk being marginalized.
The ceremony featured a one-hour panel discussion titled “Defending Human Rights in the Digital Era,” led by Dr. Milena Costas Trascasas, a human rights expert with over 20 years of experience and a former member of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee (2016–2025). The discussion examined the growing tension between technological advancement and human rights protection, including questions of algorithmic accountability, ethical innovation, and the regulation of emerging technologies.
Following the panel discussion, the Geneva Centre presented two Individual Awards recognising both innovation and courage in advancing human rights in digital spaces.
The Individual Award for Ethical AI and Human Rights Protection was presented to Ms. Daniela Camberos (Mexico) in recognition of her work through Ramona, an ethical artificial intelligence initiative designed to address algorithmic bias, labour discrimination, and human trafficking risks through transparent and rights-based AI systems.
The Individual Award for Defending Freedom of Expression Online was presented to Ms. Sonal Dhanani (Pakistan) for her courage in strengthening digital safety and freedom of expression for women, youth, and marginalised communities through civil society initiatives. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Parindey Wellbeing and Development Foundation.
The ceremony concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Umesh Palwankar, Strategic Advisor of the Geneva Centre, who reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to advancing human rights through concrete action and global dialogue, and congratulated the 2025 awardees for their work on accountability, freedom, and respect in the digital age.
Launched in 2021 on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the Human Rights Recognition Awards are the Geneva Centre’s annual initiative to recognise meaningful and tangible contributions to the advancement of human rights.