People’s lawyer Maria Kristina Conti received the 2026 Human Rights and Rule of Law award from LAWASIA, a regional association of lawyers, judges, jurists and legal organizations, in recognition of her work against the abuses of those in power.
The award is conferred on an individual legal practitioner who has made an outstanding personal contribution to the administration of justice, the protection of human rights and maintenance of the rule of law in the Asia-Pacific region.
Conti received the award during LAWASIA’s annual conference in Seoul, South Korea.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, where Conti is a member, said the award recognized her active role in pursuing cases against abuse of government power, enhancing legal advocacy and human rights education, and engaging regional issues and organizations.
“For NUPL, the award recognizes the need for peoples’ lawyering in places with deep-seated inequality and illusionary democracy,” it said.
Conti thanked LAWASIA for the award and for putting the spotlight on the Philippines amid “deep-seated inequality, illusionary democracy, and terrifying impunity.”
She also expressed appreciation for recognizing the courage of NUPL lawyers and of the clients they represent who lay life and liberty on the line.
“May we all find that kind of courage, audacity, and tenacity to shine the brightest where it is the darkest,” she said.