Stefanus Prize

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The Stefanus Prize is a human rights award for people who defend freedom of religion or belief, as described in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It was started in 2005 by the Norwegian NGO Stefanus Alliance International and has been awarded every two years since 2008. The ceremony happens in November in Oslo, Norway.

The first winner was Coptic Orthodox Bishop Thomas of Egypt, honored on November 11, 2005 for his brave work toward freedom of belief and human rights in Egypt. Laureates are chosen by a committee appointed by Stefanus Alliance International. In 2020, the committee members were Ingvill Thorson Plesner (researcher at HL-senteret), Erling Rimehaug (editor and writer), Anne Beathe Kristiansen Tvinnereim (politician), and Ingunn Yri Øystese (board member of Stefanus Alliance International).