Aminatou Haidar

Aminatou Ali Ahmed Haidar, born on July twenty-four, nineteen sixty-six, is a prominent Sahrawi human rights activist renowned for her unwavering commitment to the independence of Western Sahara. Often referred to as the 'Sahrawi Gandhi' or 'Sahrawi Pasionaria,' she has gained recognition for her nonviolent approach to activism, advocating for the rights of her people.

As the president of the Collective of Sahrawi Human Rights Defenders (CODESA), Haidar has dedicated her life to raising awareness about the plight of the Sahrawi people. Her activism has not come without personal sacrifice; she endured imprisonment from nineteen eighty-seven to nineteen ninety-one and again from two thousand five to two thousand six due to her advocacy for independence.

In two thousand nine, Haidar captured international attention when she staged a hunger strike at Lanzarote Airport after being denied re-entry into Moroccan-controlled Western Sahara. This act of defiance highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by her community and brought global awareness to their cause.

Throughout her career, Haidar has been honored with several prestigious international human rights awards, including the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award in two thousand eight, the Civil Courage Prize in two thousand nine, and the Right Livelihood Award in two thousand nineteen. Her relentless pursuit of justice continues to inspire many around the world.