John Dugard

Laureate Profile

John Dugard is a lawyer, writer and teacher who confronted the injustice of apartheid law in South Africa and helped shape the constitutional basis for equal justice under law in the post-apartheid era. He helped train the generation of human rights lawyers who challenged apartheid in the courts in representing its victims and building respect for a constitutionalism embodying human rights for every citizen. Since the collapse of apartheid, Mr. Dugard has served as a member of the UN’s International Law Commission and a Special Rapporteur on Diplomatic Protection. He has also been Judge ad hoc in the International Court of Justice (2002-8) and Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories (2001-8). His influential role in the development of international law, including international human rights law, has earned him international respect.