By American Bar Association
The American Bar Association will present its 2026 International Human Rights Award to Tunisian human rights lawyer and defender Ayachi Hammami in recognition of his decades-long commitment to advancing democracy, protecting fundamental freedoms and defending victims of human rights violations.
The ABA International Human Rights Award recognizes exceptional achievements by an individual or organization that has championed or defended human rights outside the United States, consistent with international human rights law. Award recipients demonstrate leadership, dedication, courage and perseverance in advancing human rights.
“Ayachi Hammami has devoted five decades to defending human rights and the rule of law in Tunisia, often at great personal risk,” said Andrew Danas, chair of the Selection Committee for the award. “His unwavering commitment to democratic governance, judicial independence, freedom of association and the rights of those subjected to political persecution embodies the highest ideals of this award.”
Throughout the government of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Hammami represented victims of human rights violations, including journalists, political activists, trade unionists and human rights defenders. He served as secretary general of a section of the Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights and as a member of its executive committee.
Following Tunisia’s 2011 revolution, Hammami served on the Higher Authority for the Realization of the Objectives of the Revolution, Political Reform and Democratic Transition. In that role, he contributed to the drafting of Decree 88, which established the legal framework for freedom of association in Tunisia.
From March through August 2020, Hammami served as Tunisia’s minister of human rights, where he worked to advance transitional justice.
After President Kais Saied assumed emergency powers in July 2021, Hammami publicly opposed what he characterized as an unconstitutional consolidation of executive authority and called for a return to democratic governance. When President Saied issued a decree dismissing 57 judges and prosecutors without due process or the possibility of judicial remedy, Hammami coordinated a defense committee on their behalf and served as its public spokesperson.
In 2022, Hammami founded the National Committee for the Defense of Freedoms and Democracy, a human rights organization focused on documenting violations, defending the rights of political detainees, supporting judicial independence and contributing to efforts to restore the democratic process.
In May 2023, while serving as defense counsel for opposition politicians and activists in Tunisia’s high-profile “conspiracy case,” Hammami was added to the investigation as a suspect. Hearings were conducted without the physical presence of detained defendants, raising serious fair-trial concerns. In April 2025, Hammami was convicted of “joining a terrorist organization” and “failing to report terrorist activity.” He remains imprisoned in Tunis following a conviction widely condemned by international human rights organizations and United Nations bodies as politically motivated.
The 2026 International Human Rights Award is presented on behalf of the ABA Center for Global Programs, Center for Human Rights, Rule of Law Initiative, Civil Rights and Social Justice Section, International Law Section and Litigation Section.
The award will be presented during a luncheon on Friday, Sept. 25, at the ABA International Law Section’s Fall Conference in London, United Kingdom.
(https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/09/hammami-human-rights-award/)
The American Bar Association will present its 2026 International Human Rights Award to Tunisian human rights lawyer and defender Ayachi Hammami in recognition of his decades-long commitment to advancing democracy, protecting fundamental freedoms and defending victims of human rights violations.
The ABA International Human Rights Award recognizes exceptional achievements by an individual or organization that has championed or defended human rights outside the United States, consistent with international human rights law. Award recipients demonstrate leadership, dedication, courage and perseverance in advancing human rights.
“Ayachi Hammami has devoted five decades to defending human rights and the rule of law in Tunisia, often at great personal risk,” said Andrew Danas, chair of the Selection Committee for the award. “His unwavering commitment to democratic governance, judicial independence, freedom of association and the rights of those subjected to political persecution embodies the highest ideals of this award.”
Throughout the government of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Hammami represented victims of human rights violations, including journalists, political activists, trade unionists and human rights defenders. He served as secretary general of a section of the Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights and as a member of its executive committee.
Following Tunisia’s 2011 revolution, Hammami served on the Higher Authority for the Realization of the Objectives of the Revolution, Political Reform and Democratic Transition. In that role, he contributed to the drafting of Decree 88, which established the legal framework for freedom of association in Tunisia.
From March through August 2020, Hammami served as Tunisia’s minister of human rights, where he worked to advance transitional justice.
After President Kais Saied assumed emergency powers in July 2021, Hammami publicly opposed what he characterized as an unconstitutional consolidation of executive authority and called for a return to democratic governance. When President Saied issued a decree dismissing 57 judges and prosecutors without due process or the possibility of judicial remedy, Hammami coordinated a defense committee on their behalf and served as its public spokesperson.
In 2022, Hammami founded the National Committee for the Defense of Freedoms and Democracy, a human rights organization focused on documenting violations, defending the rights of political detainees, supporting judicial independence and contributing to efforts to restore the democratic process.
In May 2023, while serving as defense counsel for opposition politicians and activists in Tunisia’s high-profile “conspiracy case,” Hammami was added to the investigation as a suspect. Hearings were conducted without the physical presence of detained defendants, raising serious fair-trial concerns. In April 2025, Hammami was convicted of “joining a terrorist organization” and “failing to report terrorist activity.” He remains imprisoned in Tunis following a conviction widely condemned by international human rights organizations and United Nations bodies as politically motivated.
The 2026 International Human Rights Award is presented on behalf of the ABA Center for Global Programs, Center for Human Rights, Rule of Law Initiative, Civil Rights and Social Justice Section, International Law Section and Litigation Section.
The award will be presented during a luncheon on Friday, Sept. 25, at the ABA International Law Section’s Fall Conference in London, United Kingdom.
(https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2026/09/hammami-human-rights-award/)
