Former magistrate Henri Heimans has been awarded the Prize for Democracy 2025 by the Trefpunt and Democracy 2000 non-profit organisations for his longstanding commitment to human rights and being a critical voice within the judicial system.
The two NGOs granted a second award that recognises critical societal reflection, the Jaap Kruithof Prize 2025, to all activists and movements opposing the war in Gaza.
The awards, which will be presented on 21 July during the Ghent Festival, serve as an annual recognition of dedication to democratic values and critical societal perspectives.
Advocate for humane justice
Heimans is known for advocating for humane justice and civil liberties both as a judge and a commentator. He received the most votes from the jury for the Prize for Democracy, which comprised members of the two NGOs.
Second place went to the Ghent-based Accordion Revolution, an activist group known for addressing social and political issues through street music and creative protests, particularly around themes of peace, climate, and equality.
Third place went to the online journalism platform Uitpers, which focuses on critical coverage of international politics. Uitpers provides a voice to underrepresented perspectives, including those on Palestine and global power dynamics.
Recognising all activists against the war in Gaza
The Jaap Kruithof Prize 2025 was awarded to all activists and movements opposing the war in Gaza. The jury specifically recognised solidarity initiatives concerning Palestine, such as SOS Gaza, the Ghent Coalition for Palestine, Stop Arming Israel and Chalk Protest. They also recognised projects such as the Global March on Gaza, and the Madleen Ship.
[The Madleen Ship is a vessel used by activists to try and break the Israeli blockade of Gaza and ferry humanitarian supplies to the enclave. The vessel was intercepted in international waters on 9 June by Israeli forces, which boarded it, seized it and detained 12 persons who were on board, including activist Greta Thunberg.]
The groups receiving the Jaap Kruithof Prize organise demonstrations, creative forms of protest, and lobbying efforts against Israeli bombardments and arms exports.
Simon Clement, a photojournalist and influencer within the Flemish peace movement, secured second place, while Valerie Trouet, a climate scientist advocating for structural climate justice in public debates, took third.
