Berlin, October 13, 2026 – The German branch of Amnesty International has awarded its annual Human Rights Prize to Palestinian lawyer Khaled Qazzar. The recognition honors his sustained efforts over many years to defend the rights of children in the illegally occupied Palestinian territory. The prize is accompanied by a financial award of 20,000 euros.
Decades of Advocacy and Legal Defense
Khaled Qazzar, whose expertise in child rights enjoys international recognition, has played a pivotal role in exposing structural and systematic human rights violations faced by Palestinian children. He has consistently pushed demands for accountability and justice into the center of public discourse. His work includes documenting human rights abuses in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, for United Nations bodies and international courts. Furthermore, he has enabled countless children and their families to access legal assistance and psychosocial support.
Qazzar previously served as the General Director of Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCI-P) for an extended period. However, following continuous harassment by Israeli authorities, he was forced to dissolve the human rights organization in the spring of 2026, after more than 35 years of activity. Since June 2026, he has assumed the position of Executive Director at the Palestinian Center for Child Rights.
Severe Repression and Threats
Due to his work, Qazzar, who resides in Ramallah, has faced intense pressure, suppression campaigns, and defamation by Israeli authorities. These practices included being summoned for interrogation by the Israeli General Security Service (Shabak) and facing threats of long-term imprisonment. The classification of DCI-P as a terrorist organization by Israel in October 2021, alongside five other civil society organizations without documented evidence, sparked strong criticism from Amnesty International, the UN, and various civil society groups. This designation was also rejected by the German government and other EU partners.
Statement by Amnesty International Germany
Julia Dugowson, Director of Amnesty International Germany, stated: “For nearly 40 years, Khaled Qazzar has worked tirelessly despite all difficulties to amplify the voices of children, who are the most vulnerable and susceptible to violations in Palestinian society.” She emphasized that the tragic living conditions endured by these children are a direct result of structural human rights violations and systematic repression, which have worsened significantly in recent years. Dugowson noted that allies of the Israeli government, including the United States and Germany, contribute to this reality by turning a blind eye to serious violations and facilitating them through arms supplies.
The director added that what is often portrayed as a humanitarian crisis is actually the product of political decisions by the Israeli government leading to the systematic destruction of children’s lives. In Gaza, since October 2023, the Israeli army has killed at least 20,000 children, while more than 17,000 have lost their families. Tens of thousands suffer serious injuries, hunger, and disease amidst destroyed infrastructure. In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, children endure the effects of state-supported settler violence and displacement, with schools and infrastructure systematically demolished.
About the Prize
The German branch of Amnesty International awards its Human Rights Prize every two years to honor individuals and organizations working under difficult circumstances. This year marks the 13th time the prize has been granted. Previous winners include Irem Keskin (Turkey), Svetlana Gannushkina (Russia), Alice Nkom (Cameroon), Henry Thivin (India), and the Colombian Federation of Santander Fishers for Tourism and Environment (FEDESPAN).
This report was produced by the HuMedia newsroom.
