2022 Outstanding Peace Activist

Aminatou Haidar is a prominent figure in the ongoing nonviolent resistance movement in Western Sahara in support for human rights. Haidar serves as the president of ISACOM, the Sahrawi Instance Against Moroccan Occupation. Widely known as “the Sahrawi Gandhi,” Haidar served as the president of the Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders (CODESA) until 2020. Born in 1966, she lives in El Aaiún in Western Sahara and received her baccalaureate degree in modern literature. In 1994 she became active in the committee of victims of forced disappearance and arbitrary detention in the Sahara as well as committees for detained and missing Sahrawis. Her nonviolent resistance activities are rooted in the broad-based democratic independence.

Previous nonviolent resistance activities inside the territory led by Haidar had focused primarily on human rights. Despite continued disappearances, killings, beatings, and torture, Haidar has continued to advocate nonviolent action. In addition she raised awareness internationally to advocate for the Sahrawi people’s right to self-determination, emerging as the most visible international spokesperson for Western Sahara’s freedom.

Her efforts have received international recognition. In 2008 she was the recipient of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award. Haidar has also been the recipient of the 2006 Juan Maria Bandres Human Rights Award in Spain, the 2007 Silver Rose Award in Austria, and the Santa Lucia Prize in Italy.  She has been a multiple nominee for the Sakharov Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize. In late 2009, Haidar received the Civil Courage Award from the Train Foundation in New York. https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/profile/aminatou-haidar