In March of this year, Mozambican activist Gamito dos Santos Carlos was selected as the winner of the 2024 Human Rights Defender award, and the young man was recognized this Friday at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland.

In his speech of thanks after receiving the award, he referred to the difficulties of being a human rights defender in Mozambique, where people's rights are stifled and public institutions allow themselves to be ruled by political power.

He told of the circumstances he had to endure for defending the rights of the majority, including intimidation, persecution and exile.

"I've already lost my job for believing in my causes," he said.

In addition to the Mozambican from Nampula province, four other activists from each continent were congratulated. They received a cash prize, a protection grant, support from Front Line Defenders on digital and physical security, advocacy, visibility, well-being, among others.

The annual Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk was created in 2005 to honor work that contributes to the promotion and protection of other people's human rights. Source: Ikweli.