2027 Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award

Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award presented by the Baptist World Alliance

The Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award 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.

Established in 2006, the Baptist World Alliance Human Rights Award honors Baptists whose courageous and effective actions have advanced the cause of human rights by defending human dignity, confronting injustice, and securing, protecting, restoring, or preserving fundamental freedoms. Rooted in the biblical conviction that every person is created in the image of God, the award celebrates those who follow Christ’s example and embody Scripture’s enduring call to pursue just peace and flourishing freedom through faithful and transformative action. This commitment reflects the biblical mandate to break the bonds of injustice, set the oppressed free, and restore what has been broken. It also embraces rights and freedoms articulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other internationally recognized human rights instruments and standards.

Purpose of the 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.

Nomination 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

Submit a Nomination

Previous Award Recipients

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)

Daniel Zacharias receives the 2026 Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award at the BWA Annual Gathering in Toronto, Canada.

BWA Congress Quinquennial Human Rights Award

To further recognize leadership in the area of human rights, this 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 Recipients

2025: Sano Vamuzo (India)
2021: Raúl Scialabba (Argentina)
2015: Corneille Gato Munyamasoko (Rwanda)
2010: Denton Lotz (USA)
2005: Lauran Bethell, (USA)
2000: Saw Simon (Myanmar)
1995: Jimmy Carter (USA)