Every year a jury of 10 international human rights NGOs selects the Laureate of the Martin Ennals Award. This award provides the two finalists and the Laureate with protection and support in the continuation of their work, as well as enables them to participate in high-level discussions on human rights. The annual ceremony takes place in February in Geneva, in collaboration with the City of Geneva
. The Martin Ennals Award is named after Martin Ennals, Secretary General of Amnesty International between 1968 and 1980. He was actively involved in the creation of HURIDOCS, SOS Torture (later called the World Organisation Against Torture), Defense for Children International, Article 19, as well as International Alert.