This summer, the father of Juana Raymundo became concerned when he called her mobile phone and found that it had been turned off. She worked as a nurse and was travelling to a local city to submit her work reports. She never arrived. Her body was found the next day on the banks of a local creek. Marks on her body indicated that she had been tortured.

Raymundo was a 25-year-old member of the Committee for Campesino Development (Codeca), a grassroots human rights organisation dedicated to promoting land rights and rural development for indigenous communities in Guatemala.

In a matter of days, the Nobel committee will choose the winner of the 2018 Peace Prize. As always, there are many worthy candidates. Yet it seems right and proper this year that the prize is awarded not to a person or an organisation but – for the first time ever – to a community: a collective award for the global community of human rights defenders.

Each day, these hidden heroes stand up and speak out when others are silent. They call for nothing more than the rights which everyone should be entitled. And as a result, each day, they risk their livelihoods, their liberty and in many cases their lives.

US withdraws from UN Human Rights Council

They face a world where human rights are no longer on the march. Freedom and democracy are on the defensive. The prize could not come at a more urgent time.

There is no doubt that everyone on the nomination list for the prize has contributed significantly to building more peaceful societies. But we need to recognise that many are only able to do this because human rights defenders laid the foundations for action. And they continue to do so.

These dedicated people are literally on the front line in the struggle for freedom, human rights and democracy. Many, like Raymundo, do not survive. Last year was the worst on record – more than 300 defenders were brutally murdered. The trend for 2018 looks just as bleak, if not bleaker. There is no better time for their sacrifice to be recognised with the Nobel Peace Prize.

And for those human rights defenders who have woken up to continue the struggle for another day, the prize would be a powerful ally – a chink of light during their darkest hour. Too often they stand alone, courageous individuals and small communities forced to face down crooked legal systems, corrupt multinationals and oppressive governments. Those who suffer most are activists working at grassroots and community levels, in isolated regions and from marginalised populations, who lack the networks and the resources to command international attention.

The global spotlight is an important ingredient for the survival and success of human rights defenders. That’s why the role of UN special rapporteur for human rights defenders was developed. It’s why organisations like Peace Brigades International – who provide crucial and direct life-saving support – also mobilise global networks when defenders are in imminent danger.

The prize would be a significant ally – a moral shield that represented international solidarity and support for defenders and their struggle. Never underestimate the power of a symbol; imagine a defender facing fabricated charges and sentenced to a long prison term, then imagine the difference it could make if they had just won a Nobel prize.

Human rights attacks around the world Show all 10 1 /10 Human rights attacks around the world Human rights attacks around the world China Escalating crackdown against human rights activists including mass arrests of lawyers and a series of sweeping laws in the name of ‘national security’. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Egypt The arrest of thousands, including peaceful critics, in a ruthless crackdown in the name of national security, the prolonged detention of hundreds without charge or trial and the sentencing of hundreds of others to death. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Gambia Torture, enforced disappearances and the criminalisation of LGBTI people; and utter refusal to co-operate with the UN and regional human rights mechanisms on issues including freedom of expression, enforced disappearance and the death penalty. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Hungary Sealing off its borders to thousands of refugees in dire need; and obstructing collective regional attempts to help them. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Israel Maintaining its military blockade of Gaza and therefore collective punishment of the 1.8 million inhabitants there, as well as failing, like Palestine, to comply with a UN call to conduct credible investigations into war crimes committed during the 2014 Gaza conflict. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Kenya Extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances and discrimination against refugees in its counter-terrorism operations; and attempts to undermine the International Criminal Court and its ability to pursue justice. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Pakistan The severe human rights failings of its response to the horrific Peshawar school massacre including its relentless use of the death penalty; and its policy on international NGOs giving authorities the power to monitor them and close them down if they are considered to be “against the interests” of the country. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Russia Repressive use of vague national security and anti-extremism legislation and its concerted attempts to silence civil society in the country; its shameful refusal to acknowledge civilian killings in Syria and its callous moves to block Security Council action on Syria. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Saudi Arabia Brutally cracking down on those who dared to advocate reform or criticise the authorities; and committing war crimes in the bombing campaign it has led in Yemen (pictured) while obstructing the establishment of a UN-led inquiry into violations by all sides in the conflict. Getty Images Human rights attacks around the world Syria Killing thousands of civilians in direct and indiscriminate attacks with barrel bombs and other weaponry and through acts of torture in detention; and enforcing lengthy sieges of civilian areas, blocking international aid from reaching starving civilians. Getty Images

Indeed there is no more important year to award the prize to human rights defenders. This year is the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, which was designed to recognise the role and guarantee the rights of those who promote and protect other people’s. Over the last two decades it’s played a key positive role. But we must also recognise its limitations. Since it was signed, 3,500 defenders have been killed. It needs to change. Not least, it needs a system to sanction those members who do not cooperate with its mechanism. The prize would offer a powerful impetus for reform, ensuring the declaration can meet the challenges of the next 20 years.

We should all be human rights defenders, because our rights are not only granted by law but upheld and protected by communities and individuals. So it’s high time the world stood shoulder to shoulder with those who show us the rocky – but essential – path to peace. And the Nobel prize is the loudest platform we have to demonstrate that. It will shine a spotlight on these hidden heroes, sending a clear message – you are not alone. And to those who would harm them, it would give a stark warning: the eyes of the world are watching.