2027 Denton & Janice Lotz Human Rights Award
The Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award, established in 2006, is given by the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) to recognize global leaders who are making a significant impact in aid, relief, community development, religious freedom, human rights, and justice.
The award honors significant and effective action and activities to secure, protect, restore, or preserve human rights. It includes all rights stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other declared rights by United Nations bodies such as the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council, and the International Court of Justice.
This recognition reflects the BWA’s commitment to responding to needs worldwide through aid, relief, and community development while defending religious freedom, human rights, and justice.
Purpose of the Human Rights Award
This award is given to recognize a global Baptist leader for significant and effective action or activities to secure, protect, restore, or preserve human rights as they are stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or in other declarations on human rights.
Eligibility
The award shall be given to an individual who is a member of a Baptist church affiliated with a convention, union, or ministry that is a Baptist World Alliance Member Partner. Past nominees who did not receive an award remain eligible for consideration.
Process
Nominations: Nominations may be made in any language used by a Member Partner of the BWA. Only completed applications will be accepted. Nominations must be received by the Baptist World Alliance by December 15, 2026.
Review & Selection Process: A BWA Awards Committee comprised of Baptist leaders from around the world confidentially reviews nominees. The Awards Committee Chair recommends a recipient to the BWA Leadership Council who deliberate and act upon that recommendation. The recipient is usually announced publicly during the BWA Annual Gathering.
General Timeline:
Through December 15: Nominations Accepted
January – February: Awards Committee Deliberations
March: Leadership Council Review
July: Recipient Honored
Award Recipients
Past recipients include:
- 2026: Daniel Zacharias (Canada)
- 2024: Julie Mariama Sesay (Sierra Leone)
- 2023: Mona Khauli (Lebanon)
- 2022: Daniel L. Buttry (USA)
- 2019: Burchel Taylor (Jamaica)
- 2018: Christer Daelander (Sweden)
- 2017: Cynthia Maung (Myanmar/Thailand)
- 2014: Ilie Coada (Moldova)
- 2013: Glen Stassen (USA)
- 2012: Edgar Palacios (El Salvador)
- 2011: Wati Aier (India)
- 2009: Leena Lavanya (India)
- 2008: Dennis Datta (Bangladesh)
- 2007: João and Nora Matwawana (Angola)
- 2006: Gustavo Parajón (Nicaragua)
Congress Quinquennial Human Rights Award: To further recognize leadership in the area of human rights, the Congress Quinquennial Human Rights Award is given every five years for a lifetime of achievement to an individual who has shown significant accomplishments in global advocacy for human rights and the pursuit of social justice and peace.
Previous BWA Congress Quinquennial Human Rights Award Recipients: Sano Vamuzo (2025); Raúl Scialabba, Argentina (2021 – recognition delayed due to COVID-19); Corneille Gato Munyamasoko, Rwanda (2015); Denton Lotz, USA (2010); Lauran Bethell, USA (2005); Saw Simon, Myanmar (2000); Jimmy Carter, USA (1995)