O’Connor Justice Prize ceremony honors UN human rights commissioner

ASU awards Louise Arbour for her commitment to the rule of law, human rights. Former Supreme Court of Canada Justice Louise Arbour had the honor of receiving the 2023 O’Connor Justice Prize on Jan. 28.  The award, administered by the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, is inspired by the legacy of former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. It is presented to those with a lifelong commitment to the rule of law, judicial independence and human rights.

 


Judge Elizabeth Odio Benito shares what the O’Connor Justice Prize means to her

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President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to receive 2021 O’Connor Justice Prize

Judge Elizabeth Odio Benito, president of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, has been named the seventh recipient of the O’Connor Justice Prize. She was the first female professor at the University of Costa Rica Law School, founded the Human Rights Institute of Costa Rica and has served as the minister of justice of Costa Rica and as a judge on three international tribunals.


O’Connor Justice Prize to honor Anson Chan, longtime champion of social justice in Hong Kong

Anson Chan, known as “Hong Kong’s conscience” for her decades of devotion to social justice and democracy, has been named the fourth recipient of the annual O’Connor Justice Prize.


Jimmy Carter accepts O’Connor Justice Prize at ASU ceremony

Former President Jimmy Carter said Friday that the U.S. should be “a champion of peace,” “human rights” and “generosity,” aspirations he said would stem worries over the country’s future.


President Carter receives O’Connor award

Former President Jimmy Carter, whose three and a half decades of humanitarian work has come to define a successful post-presidency, will receive the 2017 O’Connor Justice Prize in January. The award, named for former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and administered by the law school at ASU which bears her name, is for exemplary leadership in rule-of-law initiatives. Carter’s work includes conflict mediation, election monitoring and the promotion of human rights.


Former UN official awarded O’Connor prize for human rights advocacy

A former South African judge who fought against apartheid and champions international human rights was honored with the first O’Connor Justice Prize. Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, was presented the award at a dinner on Nov. 14, in Phoenix. The O’Connor Justice Prize was established to recognize a person who, like retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, has made extraordinary contributions to the rule of law, justice and human rights.


ASU Law Rule of Law and Governance Program

Arizona State University is uniquely positioned to offer a program in Rule of Law and Governance led by Clint Williamson, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues. This program is a joint effort between ASU Law and the McCain Institute for International Leadership that will teach students about the development of rule of law and good governance in transitional and post-conflict states. This training will prepare graduates for international development and policy jobs in the public and private sectors.

Media Contact

If you are a member of the media working on a story, please contact law.media@asu.edu or call at 480-965-8702. If you would like more information about the O’Connor Justice Prize event, please contact Austin Prutch at 480-965-8425.