The Edelstam Prize

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Sverige
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The Edelstam Prize

Civic courage within Defence of Human Rights On the Edelstam Prize Jury is Justice Louise Arbour, Judge Shirin Ebadi, Mr. Ricardo Lagos, and Caroline Edelstam.

The Edelstam Prize is awarded for outstanding contributions and exceptional courage in standing up for one’s beliefs in the Defence of Human Rights. Philip Alston, Judge Baltasar Garzón, Dr. Pascoal Mocumbi, Mr. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edelstam_Prize

The Edelstam Foundation stands for a humanistic view, based on the values and principles that mainly are expressed in the United Nations’ Decla

ration on Human Rights from 1948, along with the conventions that followed and internationally accepted public law. The Foundation is a politically and religiously independent organization.

31/05/2026

IN MEMORIAM: LENNART ASPEGREN, BOARD MEMBER OF THE EDELSTAM FOUNDATION
It is with deep sadness that we share that our board member and dear colleague Lennart Aspegren has passed away.

Lennart was an extraordinary person whose work left a lasting mark on international justice. As a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), he was part of the landmark Akayesu case, which made legal history as the first conviction for genocide and the first recognition of r**e as an act of genocide in international criminal law.

In recent years, Lennart devoted his time and energy to the Edelstam Foundation, where his experience, integrity, and commitment to human rights were deeply valued. His dedication to justice remained as strong as ever throughout his life.

Beyond his professional achievements, Lennart was a generous, warm, and thoughtful person, much appreciated by colleagues, students, and friends alike. His wisdom, humour, and humanity left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege to know him.

We will miss him greatly, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family.

A memorial tribute has been published in Dagens Nyheter: https://www.dn.se/familj/lennart-aspegren-domaren-som-forandrade-historien/

21/05/2026

21/05/2026

HAW Daily Brief:

Jimmy Lai’s Son Pins Hopes on Trump to Rescue Jailed Media Tycoon during Xi Visit
https://hostageaid.org/jimmy-lais-son-pins-hopes-on-trump-to-rescue-jailed-media-tycoon-during-xi-visit/
UK - Independent
The son of jailed Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has implored Donald Trump to secure his father’s release from prison during a historic state visit to China next week. The younger Mr Lai lauded Mr Trump’s record as “an incredible negotiator” and “one of the best deal makers” in his appeal. “That’s why we have so much hope on his visit,” he said. “This is a case he genuinely, from my understanding, cares about and he’s someone who’s an incredible negotiator. So hopefully I’ll get to see my father again.” Support Jimmy Lai

Wife of Chinese Dissident Artist Gao Zhen Wishes Husband Happy 70th Birthday
https://hostageaid.org/wife-of-chinese-dissident-artist-gao-zhen-wishes-husband-happy-70th-birthday/
Washington D.C. - Human Rights Foundation
Today, May 10, 2026, is Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen’s 70th birthday, and he is spending it in a Chinese prison. He is unable to see his wife and son, who are banned from returning home to the US from China. The bans are a strategic move by the Chinese government to punish family members for Gao’s work and emotionally alienate them. His wife, Yaliang, shares a birthday message with him. Gao Brothers

Israel Deports Two Activists Detained on Board Gaza Flotilla
https://hostageaid.org/israel-deports-two-activists-detained-on-board-gaza-flotilla/
UK - BBC
Two pro-Palestinian activists who were detained in Israel after sailing on a flotilla carrying aid for Gaza have been deported. Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Ávila were taken to Israel after the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), made up of 22 boats and about 175 activists, was intercepted last week in international waters near Crete, hundreds of nautical miles from Gaza. All the other activists were taken to Crete and freed.

Families of Two Americans Jailed in China Urge Trump to Seek Their Release
https://hostageaid.org/families-of-two-americans-jailed-in-china-urge-trump-to-seek-their-release/
Washington D.C. - Reuters
"With President Trump meeting President Xi, our two families are writing letters - we're asking, 'Can you please ask for the release of our loved ones?'," said Tim Hunt, Dawn Michelle's older brother.
"Hopefully, we can get those letters delivered and read." "I enjoyed serving my country," said Wells' father, Nelson Wells Sr., a U.S. Army veteran whose wife also worked for the Department of Defense for 28 years. "Now I just want my country to serve me."
"The Chinese side has shown a willingness to grant the humanitarian release, but they are also keen to hear from the U.S. side just how important it is for the American people," said Beijing-based lawyer James Zimmerman, who is advising the Hunt and Wells families.

The Wife of Argentine Lawyer Germán Giuliani Pleads for His Release in Venezuela: “Let Him Come to His Father’s Funeral”
https://hostageaid.org/the-wife-of-argentine-lawyer-german-giuliani-pleads-for-his-release-in-venezuela-let-him-come-to-his-fathers-funeral/
Venezuela - Alberto News
Virginia Rivero, wife of Argentine lawyer Germán Giuliani, released a public video this Friday announcing the death of her father-in-law, Carlos Giuliani, while her husband remains arbitrarily detained in Venezuela for more than 11 months.
“My father-in-law died waiting to see his son free. He died without being able to embrace him. He died heartbroken after more than 11 months of captivity. Today we are asking for something as human as it is just: that Germán be allowed to travel to say goodbye to his father at his funeral,” Rivero said.

President Trump, Bring This Priority List to President Xi
https://hostageaid.org/president-trump-bring-this-priority-list-to-president-xi/
Washington D.C. - The Washington Stand
Every summit between world leaders comes with a priority list. When President Donald Trump meets Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping on May 14-15, the agenda will undoubtedly be packed with issues of enormous geopolitical consequence.
But President Trump should also carry another list with him into the meeting room — a list of names. A list of prisoners of conscience: pastors, democracy advocates, human rights lawyers, whistleblowers, and ordinary citizens unjustly imprisoned or forcibly disappeared by the Chinese Communist Party because they dared to speak the truth, worship freely, or defend human dignity.