STOCKHOLM – Forensic Architecture, a UK-based interdisciplinary research agency, is among the recipients of the 2024 Right Livelihood Award for uncovering and documenting the truth about human rights violations using cutting-edge open-source investigation and digital modelling techniques.
For over 40 years, the Right Livelihood Award has honoured and supported courageous people solving global problems. To date, 198 Laureates from 77 countries have received the Award, including Ukrainian human rights defender Oleksandra Matviichuk, Congolese gynaecologist and women’s rights advocate Dr Denis Mukwege and American public interest lawyer Bryan Stevenson.
Forensic Architecture’s Founder and Director Eyal Weizman is holding an online press conference today at 11:30 am CEST. Register here.
Based at Goldsmiths, University of London, Forensic Architecture has led the development of new methodologies that combine technology with human rights advocacy. They have conducted more than 100 investigations on behalf of affected communities, uncovering truths about events both historic, such as the German colonial genocide in Namibia, and current, like the 2017 fire at Grenfell Tower in London. Their innovative methodologies set new standards for accountability that have been used as evidence in landmark legal cases worldwide.
Right Livelihood’s jury said that Forensic Architecture was receiving the Award “for pioneering digital forensic methods to ensure justice and accountability for victims and survivors of human and environmental rights violations.”
“I’m always saying I prefer winning cases to winning prizes, but, especially at this time of brutal carnage, the one accolade I wanted Forensic Architecture to get is the Right Livelihood Award,” said Weizman, the organisation’s founder and director. “Some of the previous Laureates are the people I most admire, and it’s especially great to receive it alongside my friend Issa. The Award has a spirit of doggedness and resistance and will help us confront the powers we face.”
“Forensic Architecture is redefining truth-telling in a post-truth era, bringing a crucial new layer of oversight to international accountability,” said Ole von Uexkull, Right Livelihood’s Executive Director.
“Their innovative work has been instrumental in uncovering decisive evidence for landmark human rights cases, ensuring that powerful actors are held accountable. In a time when misinformation thrives, Forensic Architecture’s efforts are vital in upholding justice and transparency on the global stage.”
The other 2024 Right Livelihood Laureates are:
- Joan Carling (Philippines), online press conference: 10:00 am CEST
- Issa Amro and Youth Against Settlements (Palestine), online press conference: 10:30 am CEST
- Anabela Lemos and Justiça Ambiental! (Mozambique), online press conference: 11:00 am CEST
Register for the press conferences here.
The 2024 Laureates will be honoured during a televised Award Presentation in Stockholm on Wednesday, December 4.
Find more information about the Laureates here.
Photos and videos of the new Laureates can be found here.
Media contacts
- International media: Emoke Bebiak, emoke.bebiak@rightlivelihood.org, +41 78 333 84 84 and Sydney Nelson, sydney.nelson@rightlivelihood.org, +46 73 043 13 01
- German media: Julia Naumann and Nina Tesenfitz, presse@rightlivelihood.org, +49 170 5763 663
- Spanish media: Nayla Azzinnari, nayla@rightlivelihood.org, +54 9 11 5460 9860
- Scandinavian media: Sonja Leister, sonja.leister@arenagruppen.se, +46 736-541319
- Photos, videos: Mikaela Fredrikson, mikaela.fredrikson@rightlivelihood.org
Short biography
Forensic Architecture is a pioneering research agency dedicated to uncovering and documenting the truth about environmental and human rights violations using cutting-edge open-source investigation and digital modelling techniques. Based at Goldsmiths, University of London, Forensic Architecture integrates advanced technology with witness and historical accounts to create powerful visual and spatial reconstructions, which have been used as evidence in landmark legal cases worldwide.
Since its founding in 2010, Forensic Architecture has led the development of new methodologies that combine technology with human rights advocacy. They have conducted more than 100 investigations on behalf of affected communities, uncovering truths about events both historic, such as the German colonial genocide in Namibia, and current, like the 2017 fire at Grenfell Tower in London. Their innovative methodologies not only set new standards for accountability but also assist survivors in processing trauma.
In an era when truth and facts are constantly challenged, including by governments, Forensic Architecture’s work helps usher in a new layer of oversight to ensure accountability, harnessing technology and witness testimony. With a fierce commitment to collaborative work with frontline communities and to developing and disseminating new evidentiary techniques, the organisation’s work has significantly impacted international legal processes and human rights investigations. As such, they help to hold perpetrators accountable and empower communities to seek justice on their own terms.
Biographical information
Headquarters: London, UK
Founded in: 2010
About Right Livelihood
For over 40 years, Right Livelihood has honoured and supported courageous people solving global problems. Housed under the umbrella of a foundation, Right Livelihood is a courage-powered community for social change committed to peace, justice and sustainability for all.
Each year, Right Livelihood highlights change-makers through an Award. To date, 198 Laureates from 77 countries have received the distinction. By recognising the actions of brave visionaries and building impactful connections around the world, Right Livelihood boosts urgent and long-term social change.
The Award was founded in 1980 following the Nobel Foundation’s rejection of a proposal to create two new prizes to honour individuals committed to advancing social justice and environmental causes, especially highlighting change-makers from the Global South.
Today, the work of Right Livelihood goes beyond presenting the Award: the Foundation provides Laureates with life-long support. Right Livelihood is a megaphone and a shield: raising their profile, providing protection when their lives and liberty are in danger, and educating people on their innovative solutions.
Right Livelihood is headquartered in Stockholm, with an office in Geneva. The Foundation has Consultative Status with the UN.
