New Delhi, May 5, 2025: Bhuwan Ribhu has become the first Indian lawyer to receive the prestigious Medal of Honour from the World Jurist Association during the World Law Congress 2025 held in the Dominican Republic. This global accolade recognizes Ribhu's over two decades of steadfast dedication to combating child exploitation through legal frameworks.
Ribhu’s pioneering legal efforts have been instrumental in transforming child protection in India from a welfare concern into a robust criminal justice priority. His work has targeted critical issues such as child marriage, trafficking, sexual abuse, and forced child labor, shaping stronger legal responses and government accountability.
In his acceptance speech, Ribhu emphasized that the award represents a collective journey towards justice for children worldwide. He expressed, "This honour belongs to every parent who courageously seeks justice and every child whose resilience inspires us all. We may walk together or apart, but our goal remains unified: justice for children everywhere."
The accolade also highlights the mission of Just Rights for Children (JRC), the organization Ribhu founded. JRC is among the largest global legal intervention networks, encompassing over 250 partner organizations across India, Nepal, Kenya, and the United States dedicated to safeguarding children through judicial mechanisms.
Javier Cremades, President of the World Jurist Association, lauded Ribhu’s lifelong commitment: "His unwavering belief in justice as a democratic pillar has led to lifesaving reforms for hundreds of thousands of children and women affected by sexual crimes both in India and internationally. This recognition honors his relentless pursuit to create a safer and more equitable world."
Bhuwan Ribhu has spearheaded more than 60 public interest litigations, resulting in substantial child protection reforms. Key achievements include the Supreme Court’s adoption of the UN Protocol’s definition of trafficking, criminalization of trafficking under Indian law, mandates for filing First Information Reports (FIRs) for missing children, and banning hazardous child labor.
His contributions were integral to the Justice Verma Committee’s post-2012 Nirbhaya case reforms, introducing new offenses such as public servant accountability, stalking, voyeurism, and trafficking.
Through persistent legal advocacy, Ribhu has influenced judicial approaches to child sexual abuse, child marriage, and Child Sexual Exploitative and Abuse Material (CSEAM), prompting policy and systemic changes to better protect vulnerable children.
Ribhu also initiated the Child Marriage Free India campaign, transforming public discourse and legal enforcement around this deeply entrenched social issue. Launched in 2024 alongside Nepal’s similar efforts, these initiatives are now components of a global movement active in 39 countries, striving to eradicate child marriage worldwide.
The World Jurist Association, founded in 1963, has previously honored legal visionaries such as Nelson Mandela and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Ribhu’s inclusion among these esteemed figures underscores the profound impact of his work on advancing human rights and justice globally.
The World Law Congress 2025, which hosted over 300 speakers from 70+ countries, serves as a premier platform to recognize jurists whose contributions have far-reaching implications for justice and human rights.
