This year’s winner of the Sophie Trevitt Human Rights Award is Plestia Alaqad.
The Sophie Trevitt Award (formerly the Young Voltaire) is awarded to someone no older than 30 at the date of their nomination for an outstanding contribution to or action on free speech, human rights and/or civil liberties, with particular emphasis on progressing freedom, respect, equality and dignity. It celebrates those who speak out, write, campaign, whistle-blow, take action or a stand against authoritarianism.
Plestia is a 23 year old Palestinian journalist from Gaza who has been documenting the plausible genocide and alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza since the Israeli Government’s response to the tragic 7 October attacks. Plestia began filming and sharing videos and photos online to show the world an inside view of what was happening in Gaza. Plestia was forced to flee Gaza due to fears for her safety and the safety of her family given the unprecedented killing of journalists. In November 2024, Plestia and her family moved to Melbourne on temporary visas.
Throughout the conflict, Plestia has spoken out eloquently about the attacks on journalists, with consideration and dignity in extraordinary circumstances. She has now documented those experiences in The Eyes of Gaza, a collection of journal entries from the first 45 days of the conflict. It is staggering to imagine those experience spiralling further and further into horror as the conflict has now continued for 2 years.
At this moment in time, when we are witnessing the extended conflict amounting to an attempted genocide of the Palestinian people, there is no one more deserving of the Sophie Trevitt Award than Plestia who has stepped up for her people continues to speak for those who continue to suffer. Plestia embodies liberation, dignity, respect, equality and free speech for her people and all people.
Please join us to celebrate at the Voltaire Awards Dinner on November 14th, 2025. Book here: https://trybooking.com/DAMXD