Sanjida Islam Tulee nominated for prestigious Human Rights Tulip award
The final winner will be declared on 10 December, marking International Human Rights Day
Bangladeshi human rights activist Sanjida Islam Tulee has been shortlisted for the Human Rights Tulip 2025, one of the Netherlands' most distinguished international awards recognising individuals and organisations advancing human rights worldwide.
Tulee, founder of Maayer Daak (Mother's Call) – a platform representing families of victims of enforced disappearances – has been at the forefront of the movement for truth and accountability since her brother was allegedly abducted in 2013. Her nomination highlights her decade-long efforts to document cases, support affected families and push for justice in Bangladesh.
Reacting to the news, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir congratulated Tulee, calling her nomination a source of national pride.
"Her recognition is significant for Bangladesh. This will draw international attention to the difficult struggle many families face," he said in a Facebook post today (7 December), adding that Tulee's work offers "encouragement to the global demand for justice."
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands announced the ten nominees after a global selection process involving Dutch embassies and civil society organisations. All shortlisted candidates will receive an embassy tulip, with a panel of independent experts choosing a top three.
The final winner will be declared on 10 December, marking International Human Rights Day.
Other nominees this year include Yemeni lawyer Maeen Al-Obaidi's mediation efforts during the civil war; Sudan's Ayin Network documenting atrocities through investigative journalism; Indonesia's KUPI promoting women's authority in religious interpretation; Somalia's SJS defending press freedom; Palestinian activist Eid Hathaleen's non-violent resistance; Chile's Fundación Todo Mejora supporting LGBTIQ+ youth; Hungarian Pride leader Viktória Radványi's fight for free expression; Colombia's Tejido Mujer advancing indigenous women's rights; and Ukraine's JurFem providing legal aid to survivors of sexual violence.
The Human Rights Tulip is one of the Dutch government's most prominent global awards recognising exceptional human rights work. Each year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs selects defenders whose activism has advanced justice, accountability and protection for vulnerable communities.
The winner receives €50,000 along with a bronze tulip sculpture, intended to help them expand their initiatives, gain international visibility and reach more people in need of support.
Over the years, the award has honoured activists working under immense personal risk. Notable past recipients include Iranian lawyer Shadi Sadr, recognised in 2009 for her fearless campaign against stoning and her advocacy for women's rights through the "Stop Stoning Forever" movement.
In 2019, Nicaraguan activist Victoria Obando Valverde, a transgender woman and vocal defender of LGBTI rights, was celebrated for continuing her fight against discrimination despite persistent threats.
