In 2023, the Board of Directors of the International Society for Human Rights – Swiss Section – will once again award (ISHR Switzerland) the renowned Swiss Human Rights Prize. This year’s winner is Geneva-based lawyer Philippe Currat.

Philippe Currat has been working with ISHR Switzerland’s working group in Geneva for more than a decade and has helped many refugees threatened with deportation from Switzerland to stay in Switzerland and not be deported to their home countries, where they face persecution, torture and possibly even death.

ISHR Switzerland is now honouring this unprecedented commitment to refugees at risk with the Swiss Human Rights Prize 2023. Mr. Currat not only does outstanding work for ISHR Switzerland, he also demonstrates a tireless commitment to human rights in international organizations. We want to honor that with our award.

Philippe Currat is on the list of counsel admitted to plead before the International Criminal Court. He thus has recognized expertise in international law, criminal law and procedural matters, and the necessary experience in criminal trials.

Member (since 2009) and then Secretary General (from December 2012 to February 2017) of the International Criminal Bar, he has worked for the recognition of an effective and institutionalized defense before the International Criminal Court. Throughout the process of establishing the International Criminal Court Bar Association (ICCBA), he made frequent visits to The Hague and had as interlocutors both States parties and organs of the International Criminal Court and NGOs. He also represented the International Criminal Bar on the legal team of the CICC-Coalition for an International Criminal Court.

The press is cordially invited to the award ceremony. The award ceremony will take place as follows:

Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 10:00 a.m.
Hôtel Kreuz, Zeughausgasse 41, Berne