This annual award is a symbol of excellence, encouraging legal professionals worldwide to contribute impactful academic articles that deepen our collective understanding of international human rights law. In 2025, the Academy received an impressive 73 essays in English and Spanish, showcasing the dedication and global diversity of participants.

This year’s Human Rights Essay Award focused on "Human Trafficking and Human Rights," highlighting one of the most urgent human rights challenges of our time. Human trafficking constitutes a gross violation of human dignity and fundamental rights, demanding immediate attention and action. The submitted essays examined the issue from diverse perspectives, offering innovative ideas and legal frameworks to advance justice and protect victims. The Academy was particularly impressed by the originality of the topics, which, while unexpected, were deeply connected to the core of the issue. Beyond theoretical analysis, the authors demonstrated a proactive approach, proposing practical solutions that not only enriched academic discussions but also contributed to the effective fight against human trafficking.

The Honor Jury, composed of prominent scholars, practitioners, and advocates, will rigorously evaluate the submissions to identify essays that reflect exceptional insight, value, and innovation. Their work embodies the Academy's commitment to fostering intellectual dialogue and advancing the promotion of human rights.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Honor Jury for their unwavering commitment to this vital cause. Their collective efforts will shape the legacy of this year’s award as they select the winning essay and honorable mentions. We invite you to meet the exceptional experts of our Honor Jury, whose efforts are shaping the legacy of this year’s award:

• Karine Ruel: Executive Director Lawyers without Borders - Canada (ENG)
•  Rangita de Silva de Alwis: Professor of Law - University of Pennsylvania Law School; Member - UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women; Vice Chair of the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (ENG)
• Roza Pati: St. John Paul II Distinguished Professor of Law; Director, LL.M./ J.S.D. Program in Intercultural Human Rights; Director, The John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy, St. Thomas University College of Law (ENG)
• Diego Rodríguez-Pinzón: Co-Director, Academy on Human Rights & Humanitarian Law (ENG)
• Ana Racu: Member of the Parliament from Republic of Moldova and expert of the UN Committee Against Torture (UNCAT) (ENG)
• Janie Chuang: Professor of Law - American University Washington College of Law (ENG)

• María Cecilia Ibáñez: Senior Advocacy and Gender Adviser at Center for Reproductive Rights (SPA)
• Julio José Rojas-Báez: Member of the Inter-American Juridical Committee of the OAS (SPA)
• Carolina Rudnick Vizcarra: Director of the Legal and Business Area at LIBERA Foundation Against Human Trafficking and Slavery in All Its Forms (SPA)
• Claudia Martin: Co-Director, Academy on Human Rights & Humanitarian Law (SPA)

• Luz Patricia Mejía Guerrero: Principal Specialist, CIM - Technical Secretariat of MESECVI - IACHR (SPA)
  
  
  We are proud of the work done by our Academy staff and LL.M. students, who demonstrated deep commitment towards coordinating this Award. We would like to offer special recognition to the pre-selection committee members: Co-Directors, Claudia Martin and Diego Rodriguez-Pinzon, alongside our Program Coordinator, Gabriel J. Ortiz Crespo, and LL.M. students  Paula Ramos (Brazil), and Tatiana Bance (Argentina). They all did an outstanding job by completing preliminary evaluations and ensuring that submissions complied with the rules and regulations of this year's Award.
  
  We would also like to thank the American University Law Review for their support as we prepare for the publication of next year’s Academy’s book issue.
  
  We congratulate all our participants for their commitment to international law, especially in the current global landscape, which has presented many challenges. These participants have put their knowledge and skills into writing their analyses, which we hope will contribute to ending the heinous practice of human trafficking.