Ukrainian journalist and human rights defender Maksym Butkevych receives the 2025 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize
Published: 16. october 2025
The 2025 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize was awarded to Ukrainian journalist and human rights activist Maksym Butkevych. The award honours outstanding contributions to the defence of human rights in Europe and beyond. It is presented by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) together with the Charter 77 Foundation and the Václav Havel Library, whose activities – specifically the operation of the Havel Channel – are long supported by our foundation.
Butkevych’s story
Maksym Butkevych is the co‑founder of the Human Rights Centre ZMINA and the news outlet Hromadske Radio. Although a convinced pacifist, after the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 he decided to defend his country and joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In June 2022, he was captured by Russian forces. Following a fabricated trial, he was sentenced to thirteen years in prison and spent more than two years in harsh conditions. He was freed in October 2024 as part of a prisoner exchange and was therefore able to receive the award in person.
“The fact that I am standing here today is also a promise that everyone who is now in Russian captivity or in the prisons of authoritarian regimes will be freed,” said this year’s Václav Havel Prize laureate.
The other two finalists were Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli and Azerbaijani journalist Ulvi Hasanli, both currently imprisoned by repressive regimes in their home countries. PACE President Theodoros Rousopoulos and Maksym Butkevych jointly called for their release.
International conference
To honour this year’s Václav Havel Human Rights Prize laureate, the Václav Havel Library organised an international conference titled Artists in Captivity on Wednesday, 1 October, at the UMPRUM Technology Centre in Prague. Ukrainian journalist Maksym Butkevych, recognised for his efforts in human rights advocacy, attended the event in person. The two absent finalists were represented by their colleagues.
Photo Gallery from the Artists in Captivity Conference
Photo credit: Ondřej Němec
Václav Havel Human Rights Prize
The award was established in honour of Václav Havel – playwright, dissident, a leading figure of the 1989 Velvet Revolution, President of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic, and a symbol of steadfastness against the abuse of power. The prize is awarded to individuals, non‑governmental organisations, or institutions that actively promote and protect human rights. Laureates receive an honorary diploma, a commemorative plaque, and a financial reward of EUR 60,000.
In 2024, the award was presented to Venezuelan advocate for political freedom and citizens’ rights María Corina Machado, who also received the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025.
Newsletter