Prize recipients
1996 – Casa Alianza under the leadership of Bruce Harris
For its committed work in helping street children in Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico to create for themselves a life in human dignity, and for its courageous defense of these children´s rights.
1995 – Fatah Youth, Labour Young Leadership and Peace Now
The prize has been awarded to the courageous and far sighted young Israelis and Palestinians in Fatah Youth, Labour Young Leadership and Peace Now, who for almost a decade have worked to build a common future in peace and cooperation for the peoples of the Middle East.
1994 – Wei Jingsheng
The 1994 Olof Palme Prize is awarded Wei Jingsheng, one of the first people in China after the fall of the Gang of Four to demand introduction of democracy and respect of human rights. Wei Jingsheng is an example and an inspiration, not only to the democratic movement in China but to the whole of mankind - an individual who defies an inhuman system and in spite of long prison sentences refuses to submit.
1993 – Students for Sarajevo
An international youth group who work to break the isolation of Sarajevo. Students for Sarajevo, founden by Eric Anglade from France, demonstrate how young people by their personal engagement can defend the ideas of humansism in the struggling city which has become a symbol of co-existence between people and cultures in Europé.
1992 – Arzu Abdullayeva and Anahit Bayandour
To honour two women, Arzu Abdullayeva and Anahit Bayandour who, in one of the areas of a most bitter conflict, have worked for international understanding between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Their continuing work for reconciliation, hold out hope for peaceful change in the former Soviet Union.
1991 – Amnesty International
For its patient and devoted work to stand up for human rights in the world. The persistent work of Amnesty groups in more than 150 countries has saved the lives of a great number of persecuted individuals and helped them regain their freedom. Amnesty combines, in a unique way, the principal struggle for fundamental human rights with active work for the individual.
1990 – Harlem Désir and SOS Racisme
For his inspiring and unconventional combat against racism and xenophobia, for his ability to awaken young people´s commitment and solidarity, and for his concrete support to the civil rights of vulnerable groups.
1989 – Vaclav Havel
For his consistent and courageous contributions to truth and democracy. Havel is today a unifying figure in the struggle for human rights, not only in his own country. His convictions have brought repeated prison sentences. But his humanistic view of life is unbroken, and through his literary achievements he is an inspiration to us all.
1988 – Javier Pérez de Cuéllar
Under the devoted leadership of its Secretary General, Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, the United Nations has restored to the world the hope of peace. The Olof Palme Memorial Prize honors the men and women in the peace-keeping operations who have served, and now serve, the cause of peace with great courage.
1987 – Cyril Ramaphosa
Secretary General of the National Union of Mineworkers of South Africa - for the wise courage demonstrated by the members of the National Union of Mineworkers of South Africa in their common struggle for human rights and dignity with him as a leader.