In a significant recognition of bravery and dedication, the Council of Europe proudly announced on Monday, September 29, 2025, that its esteemed 2025 human rights prize has been awarded to Maksym Butkevych. The Ukrainian journalist and passionate rights activist, who endured capture and subsequent release by Russian forces, is celebrated for his resilience.
Butkevych, a prominent figure in Ukraine’s independent media landscape, co-founded the influential Hromadske radio station and the ZMINA human rights center in Kyiv. Demonstrating his commitment to his homeland, he enlisted in the Ukrainian army in March 2022. However, his service was interrupted when he was detained in June of the same year and later faced charges of war crimes by a court in Russian-controlled Lugansk in March 2023.
Despite being unjustly sentenced to a 13-year prison term for allegedly wounding two civilians while using an anti-tank grenade launcher in Severodonetsk, Butkevych’s ordeal came to an end during a prisoner exchange in October 2024.
Theodoros Rousopoulos, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which bestows this important award, emphasized the profound timing of this recognition. “This is no coincidence,” he stated, highlighting the perilous environment for journalists globally.
Rousopoulos further pointed out the escalating risks, noting that “The last few months have proved particularly dangerous for journalists.” He revealed that at the beginning of the year, 171 journalists were imprisoned across Europe, with at least 26 Ukrainians held by Russia or in territories occupied by Moscow within Ukraine.
The Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize, named in honor of the late Czech dissident playwright and post-communist president, stands as a beacon for those who champion human dignity and freedom. Previous laureates include notable figures such as Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in 2024 and Russian activist Vladimir Kara-Murza in 2022, underscoring the award’s commitment to recognizing individuals who defy oppression and advocate for fundamental rights.