The 2024 Lantos Human Rights Prize was awarded to a pair of extraordinary women who have been beacons of courage and determination in the fight against tyranny and autocracy in the former Soviet Union region: President-elect Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, and Evgenia Kara-Murza, human rights activist, Advocacy Director of the Free Russia Foundation, and wife of unjustly imprisoned Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was released in a major prisoner exchange in August, 2024.

“I see this high distinction as a very humbling recognition of my advocacy efforts but, most importantly, as a beautiful and heartwarming gesture of solidarity with those of my compatriots who are bravely speaking out against the crimes committed by Vladimir Putin’s regime despite obvious risks to their own freedom and very often their lives.” - Evgenia Kara-Murza

“I am deeply honored to receive the Lantos Human Rights Prize alongside a woman I greatly respect, Evgenia Kara-Murza.This award not only recognizes my efforts but also celebrates the indomitable spirit of the Belarusian people.” - President-elect Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya