YINKA JEGEDE-EKPE, NIGERIA A Nigerian diagnosed with HIV at age 19, bravely stepped forward to combat stigmatization and became one of her countryís most visible AIDS activists. She raises awareness, advocates for the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS and focuses attention on the special needs of women living with the virus.

VANITA GUPTA, UNITED STATES A New York City attorney, successfully orchestrated an extraordinary campaign to fight racism in the justice system by spearheading the legal battle to win the release and pardon of 35 African Americans falsely accused and convicted of drug-related crimes in Texas.

JO NIA BATISTA DE CARVALHO/WAPIXANA, BRAZIL A Wapixana woman and Brazilís first female indigenous lawyer, fights for her peopleís rights to their ancestral lands against the encroachment of outside commercial, farming and hunting interests. She also defends the victims of human rights violations and advocates for and educates her people. are protected in Sierra Leone.

AHMAD NADER NADERY, AFGHANISTAN An Afghan human rights activist, has endured imprisonment and beatings under three repressive regimes. He is now a leading member of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, working to address the heritage of violence and build a human rights culture in his country. dangerous and turbulent settings.