At Work Around the World

South Africa

Waging Peace

Honoring Human Rights

The Carter-Menil Human Rights Prize was awarded in 1988 to the Sisulu family of South Africa in recognition of their leadership in the fight against apartheid and their profound commitment to the protection of human rights. President Carter said at the presentation, "Perhaps this prize will inspire the recipients to do even more heroic things, and perhaps it will inspire others to reach full greatness, as they have done, even at danger to their own freedom and even existence."

President Carter and the late Dominique de Menil established the $100,000 prize to promote the protection of human rights. It has been awarded to individuals or organizations for their outstanding efforts on behalf of human rights, often at great personal sacrifice. The award enabled human rights activists to continue their work and focused global attention on their struggles for justice.

Read more about the Carter Center's human rights initiatives.