Published on 12-01-2021, Last modified on 12-01-2021

Amnesty International Chair

Every year, Ghent University awards the Amnesty International Chair to a person who makes a special contribution in the field of human rights. The laureate gives a public lecture at Ghent University, with additional guest lectures for students.

The laureate of the Amnesty International Chair in 2021 is Polish Ombudsman and Human Rights Commissioner Adam Bodnar. Bodnar has been a restless defender of the rule of law and human rights in Poland, where the judiciary, media and NGOs are under pressure.

This year the award of the Amnesty International Chair took place online on 28 April 2021 with an inspiring lecture by the laureate. Bodnar explained his vision of an increasingly unfree Poland and its impact on Europe and shared his personal motivations with the public.

The lecture was followed by a lively panel discussion with Alicjia Gescinska, Polish-Belgian writer and philosopher and Wies De Graeve, director of Amnesty International Vlaanderen, moderated by human rights professor Eva Brems, and a round of Q&A with the public.

Click here to watch the digital award of the Amnesty International Chair to Adam Bodnar.

Below you can find information about the previous Amnesty International Chairs at Ghent University:

2019: Geert Cappelaere

2016: Peter Piot

2015: Dave Eggers

2014: Clive Stafford Smith

2013: Solange Habonimana

2012: Thomas Hammarberg

2011: Jeanne De Vos

2010: Luis Moreno Ocampo

2009: Nawal El Saadawi