STOCKHOLM – Issa Amro, a non-violent activist from the West Bank city of Hebron, and his activist group Youth Against Settlements (YAS) are among the recipients of this year’s Right Livelihood Award for standing up against the brutality of the Israeli occupation and empowering Palestinians through civic action.
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.
Amro is holding an online press conference today at 10:30 am CEST. Register here.
Amro and YAS have successfully mobilised local communities and international allies to resist the ongoing Israeli occupation through peaceful means. YAS plays an essential role in documenting human rights violations, organising protests, and supporting local communities in Hebron who live under constant threats and attacks from Israeli settlers and military forces. The group’s initiatives have also served as an inspiration for non-violent resistance in other Palestinian cities under Israeli occupation.
With the grim anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel just days away, Amro’s strict commitment to non-violence stands in strong contrast to the cycle of violence in the region, showing the only viable way forward.
Right Livelihood’s jury said that Amro and YAS were receiving the Award “for their steadfast non-violent resistance to Israel’s illegal occupation, promoting Palestinian civic action through peaceful means.”
“Receiving the Right Livelihood Award makes me feel happy, proud, motivated and inspired to continue my hard work to defend human rights in Palestine, to defend Palestinian children’s rights, Palestinian women’s rights and the Palestinian people’s right to remain and live with freedom, justice and equality in their land,” said Amro.
“Amro and his group have become beacons of non-violent resistance amid the ongoing violence of the Israeli occupation in Hebron,” said Ole von Uexkull, Right Livelihood’s Executive Director.
“Amro’s commitment to human rights and social justice, despite immense pressure and charges from not only settlers but also both Israeli and Palestinian authorities, stands as a powerful testament to the strength of non-violent action. Amro’s courageous stand inspires others to believe in the possibility of peaceful change even in the most challenging circumstances.”
The other 2024 Right Livelihood Laureates are:
- Joan Carling (Philippines), Online press conference today: 10:00 am CEST
- Anabela Lemos and Justiça Ambiental! (Mozambique), Online press conference today: 11:00 am CEST
- Forensic Architecture (UK), Online press conference today: 11:30 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
Issa Amro is a Palestinian human rights activist who has dedicated his life to peaceful resistance against Israeli occupation in the West Bank city of Hebron. Together with the activist group he founded, Youth Against Settlements (YAS), he has become a leading voice in the non-violent movement, striving to create a future where Palestinians live freely and with dignity. His efforts have garnered international recognition, and his strict commitment to non-violence stands in stark contrast to the violent realities of the Israeli occupation.
Amro and YAS have successfully mobilised local communities and international allies to resist the ongoing Israeli occupation through peaceful means. YAS plays an essential role in documenting human rights violations, organising protests, and supporting local communities in Hebron who live under constant threats and attacks from Israeli settlers and military forces. The group’s initiatives have also served as an inspiration for non-violent resistance in other Palestinian cities under Israeli occupation.
Amro and the group have been under constant pressure from settlers, the Israeli military and also the Palestinian Authority. Amro has been detained, tortured, attacked on the streets, evicted from home and subjected to judicial harassment. However, he has kept his unwavering commitment to non-violent resistance, which he sees as the only way to achieve justice and peace for the people of Palestine.
Biographical information
Issa Amro
Place of Birth: Hebron, Palestine
Date of Birth: April 13, 1980
Youth Against Settlements
Headquarters: Hebron, Palestine
Founded in: 2007
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.
