Sumaiya Islam, human rights defender and Executive Director of Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra (BNSK), has been honored with the 2025 Franco-German Award for Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
The award was presented to Ms. Islam by the Ambassadors of France and Germany to Bangladesh, Mr. Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet and Dr. Rüdiger Lotz, during a special ceremony at the Franco-German Embassy in Dhaka, marking International Human Rights Day.
Since 2016, France and Germany have jointly celebrated this day to recognize individuals worldwide who show exceptional dedication to protecting fundamental rights and freedoms. This year, 14 laureates were awarded globally.
Ms. Islam received the honor for her tireless efforts in advancing the rights of women, particularly migrant workers, sex workers, transgender persons, and other socially and economically marginalized groups. With over two decades of experience, she has worked with grassroots organizations such as BNSK and BOMSA, advocating for the rights of migrant women. She has also contributed to numerous regional civil society networks and served on the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission of the interim government of Bangladesh.
Her advocacy has been instrumental in major legislative reforms protecting Bangladeshi female migrant workers. Speaking at the ceremony, Ms. Islam said:
“It is a great honor, and I am truly grateful and deeply happy to receive this Franco-German Human Rights Prize. This recognition will help amplify my work and that of BNSK, enabling us to further strengthen our initiatives to protect and advance the rights of women migrant workers globally.”
Ambassador of France, Mr. Séré-Charlet, highlighted the significance of the award:
“There can be no human rights without women’s rights. France continues to support human rights defenders worldwide and whole-heartedly congratulates Sumaiya Islam for this achievement.”
Ambassador of Germany, Dr. Lotz, added:
“Grassroots defenders play an essential role in protecting rights, strengthening accountability, and giving voice to those who are too often unheard. We warmly congratulate Sumaiya Islam on this well-deserved recognition.”
Bangladesh has previously had two laureates: Tahmina Rahman of Article 19 in 2016 and Adilur Rahman Khan, founder of Odhikar, in 2017.
