This year's Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award is awarded the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression

"In a country where speaking the truth can cost you your freedom — or even your life — the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression has never stayed silent. For over twenty years, they have been relentless advocates against oppression, exposing war crimes and holding the perpetrators accountable – even from exile," Civil Rights Defenders' Board of Directors says in the motivation for the award. 

Founded in 2004, the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) is a strong symbol of resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to human rights. At a time when freedom of expression was virtually non-existent in Syria, SCM dared to raise its voice. 

“People were attacked from both sides. From the dictatorship regime and from the extremists. Both had decided to disagree on everything, to fight over everything. The only thing they agreed on was that human rights defenders and free media were the enemy," says the organisation’s founder, lawyer and human rights defender, Mazen Darwish. 

Imprisoned and tortured for their work 

From the beginning, SCM reported on the vulnerable situation of journalists in Syria – arbitrary arrests, torture and even murder. But, when the Syrian revolution broke out in 2011, the Center had to shift focus and started gathering evidence of core international crimes. Evidence that would hold up in court. 

Their work came at a high price. In 2012, Mazen Darwish and his wife Yara Bader, Programme Manager at the organisation, were arrested along with twelve other colleagues. Their offices were stormed and closed. 

“We have a long history of having our offices closed at SCM. The first time was in 2006, then again in 2009, and the last time in 2012. In 2012, they didn't just take our office or our equipment – they also took us. Some of my friends and colleagues were imprisoned for three or four months. I was the last one to be released – after three years and eight months," says Mazen Darwish. 

Several of them, including Mazen Darwish, were subjected to repeated torture in prison. 

Building peace in Syria 

Today, the organisation is run from exile in France, with employees spread all over the world – including inside Syria. The SCM has filed criminal complaints in Germany, Austria, France and Sweden – paving the way for international arrest warrants against senior Syrian officials, including a historic arrest warrant issued in France against former President Bashar al-Assad. 

"We can’t say that everything is good just because Bashar al-Assad fled. We can't cross into the future if we don't deal with what happened. For this we need transitional justice. And we need justice and accountability as a tool for peace, not a weapon for revenge," says Mazen Darwish. 

About receiving the award 

“The Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award arrived at a pivotal moment—just as the regime fell after 14 years of sacrifice. We were exhausted by the normalisation of relations with the former regime and the long road ahead toward a country governed by law and justice. Though we know the path to full accountability remains long, the award has restored our hope that we are on the right path, that our efforts can be seen and that we are beginning to reap the fruits of our labor.  

This honor not only acknowledges the dedication of the team at the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, but also underscores our responsibility to uphold trust, professionalism, and the fight against impunity to secure freedoms for all Syrians,” SCM says in a comment. 

On 11 May, Mazen Darwish and Yara Bader will come to Stockholm. The award ceremony will take place on 13 May. 

About Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award 

The Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award is an award for outstanding work in the defence of civil and political rights. It has been awarded annually since 2013 by the human rights organisation Civil Rights Defenders. The award recognises a prominent human rights defender who, despite the risk to their own safety, continues the struggle for civil and political rights. 

Contact 

If you would like to know more or book an interview with Mazen or Yara, please contact our press contact on press@crd.org or +46 (0)76 576 27 62.  

Full Award motivation 

In a country where speaking the truth can cost you your freedom - or even your life - the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression has never stayed silent. For over twenty years, they have been relentless advocates against oppression, exposing war crimes and holding the perpetrators accountable, even from exile. Despite threats, arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances and torture, their tireless work has led to arrests of top Syrian officials, and even an arrest warrant against the recently ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad. 

For their exceptional resilience and courage in pursuit of a world based on justice, freedom, equality, human rights, and dignity, the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression is awarded the Civil Rights Defender of the Year Award 2025.  

Read more about this year’s recipients 

crd.org/2025/04/23/civil-rights-defender-of-the-year-award-2025-scm