Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize

Journalists for Human Rights is a media development organization which mobilizes media to spread human rights awareness. Robina Aryubwal is a program delivery specialist and women’s rights activist. She worked with JHR as a program coordinator specializing in support and advocacy for Afghan refugees.

Together, the two were jointly awarded the Marie-Ange Garrigue Prize for having relocated, referred and resettled more than 500 at-risk journalists, human rights defenders, fixers, interpreters, educators and their families from Afghanistan.

Jury citation

Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) is a Canadian media development organization that trains and empowers journalists in Canada and around the globe to report on human rights issues in their local communities. Given the urgent situation for local journalists in the aftermath of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, JHR initiated an urgent evacuation effort that has thus far led to the evacuation, relocation, and resettlement of over 500 at-risk journalists, many of them to Canada. Critical to this effort was Robina Aryubwal, a current women’s rights activist, and former Afghan refugee herself. While working with JHR, Robina was a lifeline for the journalists and families being assisted by JHR. Robina was in constant communication with those in exile, supporting them in innumerable ways, including with securing documentation, counseling, safe houses, and sometimes just providing a comforting ear. Robina’s compassionate efforts have been recognized and personally thanked by many Afghan journalists now residing in Canada and other safe countries.