Theo van Boven
(1934-)

Dutch Jurist, Human Rights Advocate
1985 Right Livelihood Award Winner

birthdate: May 26
birthplace:
The Netherlands

Theo van Boven is a Dutch jurist and professor emeritus in international law who worked on human rights issues with the United Nations during four decades. From 1977-1982 he served as the Director of the UN's Division of Human Rights, uncompromisingly advocating for human rights concerns to become much more of a primary focus for UN activities. From 1986 to 1991 he was the United Nation's Special Rapporteur on the Right to Reparation to Victims of Gross Violations of Human Rights and from 2001 to 2004, he served as Special Rapporteur on Torture. Theo van Boven is also a member of the International Commission of Jurists, has served on numerous international human rights Councils and Committees, and has written many articles on international law and humanitarian law. In 1985 he received the Right Livelihood Award, often called the Alternative Nobel Prize "...for speaking out on human rights abuse without fear or favor in the international community.” In 2004 he also received the Lisl and Leo Eitinger's Prize, the Human Rights Prize of the University of Oslo " for his long-lasting and fruitful contribution to fight torture, enforced disappearance and other severe violations of human rights."

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