Kate O'Regan, fifth recipient of the George Bizos Human Rights Award

Justice Catherine (Kate) O’Regan will be the fifth recipient of the George Bizos Human Rights Award.

Kate O’Regan has devoted her remarkable career to strengthening constitutionalism, advancing equality and protecting human rights in South Africa and beyond.

Before her appointment to the Constitutional Court, she represented emerging trade unions and communities threatened with eviction under apartheid land laws. She went on to serve on the Court’s founding bench from 1994 to 2009, helping to shape the constitutional principles and institutions that continue to protect equality, accountable government and the rule of law.

Her contribution has extended far beyond South Africa. Kate served as an ad hoc judge of the Supreme Court of Namibia and as the founding Director of the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at the University of Oxford, which grew under her leadership into a globally recognised centre for human rights research, teaching and public engagement.

Throughout her career, Kate has brought rigour, courage and humanity to the law. Her contribution reflects the enduring values embodied by Advocate George Bizos and the purpose of this award. It is a privilege to recognise an extraordinary woman whose life’s work has helped build and protect our constitutional democracy.

Please join us in congratulating Kate O'Regan on this richly deserved honour.