From Prison to Prestige: Guatemalan Prosecutor Wins Global Human Rights Award After Battling Corruption and Facing Persecution

London, UK – In a significant acknowledgment of her relentless fight against corruption under perilous conditions, Virginia Laparra Rivas, once a prosecutor in Guatemala, was honored with the prestigious Sir Henry Brooke Award for 2025. The ceremony, organized by the Alliance for Lawyers at Risk, took place here last night, celebrating her exceptional commitment to human rights and the rule of law.

Virginia Laparra Rivas initially took the helm of the Special Prosecutors Office Against Impunity in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala’s second-largest city, in 2016. During her tenure, she spearheaded a crucial investigation into a corruption case involving $100 million linked to the Municipality of Quetzaltenango. Her bold actions included filing a complaint against a high-ranking judge suspected of divulging confidential details to the defendants.

The aftermath of her actions saw a backlash that intensified to threats and legal retaliation against her and her colleagues. Numerous judges, prosecutors, and legal practitioners were unjustly targeted—some were suspended or dismissed, while others sought safety in exile. Laparra herself faced charges of abuse of authority, leading to a four-year prison sentence marked by alleged procedural irregularities and violations of due process. After spending 22 months in prison, she was placed under house arrest for a year before she sought asylum in Mexico, where she currently resides.

The evening in London not only spotlighted Laparra’s bravery but also served as a platform for broader advocacy for the rule of law, particularly in jurisdictions where legal practitioners are under siege. Former UK Supreme Court President Lord Neuberger, who was among the speakers, emphasized the stark contrast between advocating for justice in relatively safe environments like the UK and places where such actions could provoke severe personal and familial threats.

Lord Neuberger also used the occasion to honor the late Sir Henry Brooke, a former Court of Appeal judge known for his modernizing efforts within the UK judicial system, including his pivotal role in introducing IT reforms and his support for the BAILII law reporting website, essential for legal professionals.

The event underscored a disturbing increase in assaults on legal practitioners globally, with government complicity or direct involvement in some cases. These insights were part of a broader conversation about maintaining the vigilance necessary to uphold the rule of law, with an acknowledgment of the particularly challenging environments lawyers like Laparra operate in.

As such ceremonies highlight the perilous environment in which many legal defenders operate, they also underscore the international legal community’s role in supporting threatened legal practitioners wherever they may be. This celebration of Virginia Laparra’s courage thus also served as a reminder of the continuous support needed for those at the front lines of defending justice in hostile contexts.

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