The Albies were created by George and Amal Clooney to shine a protective spotlight on courageous justice defenders who are at risk—sending a message to those who abuse human rights that the world is watching.
The Albies are named after anti-apartheid hero Justice Albie Sachs, who received a lifetime achievement award at our inaugural event.
Albie taught us the power of those three little letters – why.
Former First Lady of the United States
He used them to help transform his own country and in doing so, he challenged us to use them to transform our own. That’s what we honor tonight—not just a single man’s legacy of progress but the possibility of progress that’s yet to be written, possibility that lies inside all of us.
Courageous justice defenders around the world face grave dangers that cannot be eliminated overnight. The Albies to shine a spotlight on the danger that those heroic groups and individuals are facing, raising the stakes for their persecutors and telling them the world is watching.
Lifetime Achievement In The Pursuit Of Justice: Dr. Denis Mukwege (Congo)
Dr. Denis Mukwege is a world-renowned doctor and human rights advocate from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is the world’s leading gynecologist treating survivors of wartime sexual violence, and a global campaigner against rape as a weapon of war. In 1999, he founded Panzi Hospital, which has treated more than 70,000 victims of sexual violence. He has survived an assassination attempt, his home has been invaded with his family held at gunpoint, and he has seen his friend and security guard killed by gunmen. Despite continuous death threats against him, Dr. Mukwege continues his medical and advocacy work to save women’s lives in Eastern Congo. Dr. Mukwege is a Nobel Peace laureate and serves on CFJ’s board of directors.
Justice For Women: Niloofar Hamedi & Elahe Mohammadi (Iran)
These courageous young women journalists brought the death of Mahsa Amini—who died in Iranian police custody after being detained for not covering her hair—out of the shadows. Hamedi was the first journalist to publish photos of Amini on life support and her despondent parents embracing in a Tehran hospital. Mohammadi reported on Amini’s funeral, the site of an early protest that is now a movement led by young women. Hamedi and Mohammadi were arrested and falsely accused of being spies for the CIA. Both women are in prison awaiting trial. They face the death penalty.
Justice For Survivors: Truth Hounds (Ukraine)
Truth Hounds is on the frontlines in Ukraine, investigating atrocities committed by Russian forces. They gather information from eyewitnesses in active war zones, document crime scenes with photos and video, and provide evidence to prosecutors. Working closely with CFJ, they enable the prosecution of Russian commanders in multiple countries under the principle of universal jurisdiction, the legal tool that recognizes that some crimes are so serious that the duty to prosecute them transcends all borders.
Justice For Journalists: Syrian Center For Media And Freedom Of Expression (Syria)
The Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression advocates for freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and human rights, despite constant threats from Bashar al-Assad’s brutal regime. Founder Mazen Darwish survived torture and imprisonment in Syria and is a leading figure in the pursuit of justice and accountability, including for journalists who risk their lives to report the truth to us all.
Justice For Democracy Defenders: Thai Lawyers For Human Rights (Thailand)
Thai Lawyers for Human Rights defends thousands of students, activists, and journalists who have been arrested under Thailand’s laws criminalizing peaceful protest and speech—including “insulting the monarchy.” CFJ is proud to partner with these fearless lawyers. Sirikan June Charoensiri, the organization’s co-founder, has faced multiple prosecutions—Thailand’s military regime even charged her with sedition for her work representing pro-democracy activists. She remains under constant threat.
Previous Recipients
Last year, we honored the inaugural Albies winners for their tireless work in the pursuit of justice all over the world.
Justice Albie Sachs was honored with a lifetime achievement award;
Filipino journalist Maria Ressa was honored with the Justice For Journalists award;
iACT, an organization that supports survivors of genocide in refugee camps, received the Justice For Survivors award;
Belarusian human rights group Viasna was awarded the Justice For Democracy Defenders award; and
The Samburu Girls Foundation, a Kenyan-based organization, was honored with the Justice For Women award.
Sentinel
Charlotte Tilbury Beauty
George and Amal Clooney
Microsoft
Brad Smith and Kathy Surace-Smith
Versace
Guardian
Wallis Annenberg and the Annenberg Foundation
Anonymous
Eric and Jill Becker
Defender
A&E Networks
Anonymous
Bank of America
Casamigos
Kathryn and Ken Chenault
Cisco
Creative Artists Agency
Joan Ganz Cooney and Holly Peterson Fund
Randi and Joel Cutler
Steve Ells
Kelly and Alec Gores
Agnes Gund
Stephanie March and Dan Benton
Nespresso
Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
Jon Stryker and Slobodan Randjelović
James and Azita Walton
Advocate
Covington & Burling LLP
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP
Perkins Coie LLP
Sidley Austin LLP
Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP
CFJ would also like to thank Diageo, Fish & Richardson, Jim and Ann Gianopulos, Goodman Family Foundation, Greenberg Traurig, Andrew and Ellen Hauptman, Marilyn and Jeffrey Katzenberg, Susan and David Rockefeller, and Will Zeckendorf for their support.
