Today, Access Now announces its selection of Dr. Usha Ramanathan, an Indian researcher and activist, as a recipient of this year’s Human Rights Heroes Award. Dr. Ramanathan is one of the leading critics of Aadhaar who has, since 2009, tirelessly challenged the controversial Aadhaar digital identity program in India, objecting to both the privacy and the security risks.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet will present the award to Dr. Ramanathan, as well as this year’s four other winners, at RightsCon Tunis (June 11-14, 2019).

In September 2018, the Supreme Court in India ruled Aadhaar could not be mandatory for several purposes, and it could not be required by private companies. Afterward, Dr. Ramanathan worked to explain the ramifications of the judgment and its disappointing limitations. She continues to speak out against the Aadhaar program.

While we give our award to Dr. Ramanathan, we also want to recognize the entire community that has protested and litigated against Aadhaar.