Meeting between the laureates 2026 and French Republic President
The laureates of the cohorte of 2026 meeting French Republic President
Published on July 21st 2026
During the 9th World Congress against death penalty, organized by Ensemble contre la peine de mort (ECPM) from June 30th to July 2nd, the laureates have met French Republic President, Emmanuel Macron. Held a few days before the program's conclusion, this meeting was a highlight of their stay in France. It demonstrates France's support for human rights and its ongoing commitment to promote and protect fundamental freedoms.
An international congress centered on the issues of human rights defense
Organized every three years, the World Congress against death penalty is one of the international events based on death penalty abolition. It brings together representatives from governments, international organizations, universitarians, and workers from judiciary, as well as civil society organizations and human rights defenders from around the world.
For three days, about one thousand people from over 90 countries took part to conferences, panels and workshops to share their experiences, streghten their cooperation and promote universal death penalty abolition.
This theme was part of the priorities of the fifth edition of Marianne Initiative. Three laureates from the cohorte of 2026 - from India, Malaysia and Zambia - lead actions known in their countries for death penalty abolition.
A privileged meeting with French Republic President
On the first day of the Congress, the laureates were received by French Republic President in an environment conductive to direct and confidential discussions.
They shared their career, presented actions they lead in their country and talked about difficulties they face in their commitment. Each laureate benefited from an individual discussion with French Republic President.
This meeting is very important because some laureates come from a country where death penalty is still applied or know a resurgence. In these contexts, Human rights defenders can be exposed to pressure, intimidations or persecutions.
The laureates also highlighted the role of Marianne Initiative as a space of protection, solidarity and strengthening of capacities. Beyond the formations, it's a real opportunity in their commitment path for their network, learn from others pratices and solidify their actions for human rights.
An active participation in the works of the Congress
The laureates fully contributed to the different highlights of the Congress.
Maitreyi Misra, Indian human right defender, hosted a workshop about juridical clinics' role in the fight against death penalty. Based on her experience in The Square Circle Clinic, she presented the contribution of these structures for the protection of fundamental rights.
The closing ceremony of the Congress, organized under the auspices of Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assmbly, and with Gerald Darminin, Justice minister, parlementaires, artists and representatives of the civil society, was highlighted by the restitution of the "Prices of the abolition.
Three rights defenders from Marianne Initiative : Nicole Fong (Malaysia), Geoffrey Mayamba (Zambia) and Maitreyi Misra (India) decerned the Advocacy Price and the Documentary Price to the laureates selected by the public.
Associating the laureates to these moments, organizers praised their commitment and highlighted their essential role in the universal promotion of death penalty abolition.
Closing ceremony of the cohorte of 2026
The 2026 edition of the Marianne Initiative ended on July 3rd, the day after the World Congress for death penalty, after eighteen weeks of formation and networking in France.
All along this program, the twelve laureates have enriched the works of the promotion thanks to the diversity of their lives, their expertise and their commitments. From now on, they are all part of the international network of past laureates of the Marianne Initiative, allowing them to establish cooperation between defenders, share their experiences et strenghten their action capacities.
Through the Marianne Initiative, France demonstrate its support to human rights defenders and its commitment to protect fundamental freedoms all around the world.
Our best wishes of success to Ammar, Eva, Anan, Nicole, Aigerim, Geoffrey, Maitreyi, Marie, Obdulia, Anna, Ulrich and Gafidyn Rae in continuing their actions !
