A Landmark Recognition for Indian Legal Advocacy
Bhuwan Ribhu Honoured with World Jurist Medal at World Law Congress 2025: In a moment of immense pride for India’s legal community, Bhuwan Ribhu became the first Indian lawyer to receive the Medal of Honour from the World Jurist Association. The award was conferred during the World Law Congress 2025, held in the Dominican Republic, acknowledging Ribhu’s relentless efforts to embed child protection within the legal and criminal justice framework, rather than treating it solely as a social welfare issue.
Championing Child Rights Through Law
Over the past two decades, Bhuwan Ribhu has dedicated his career to protecting vulnerable children. He is the founder of Just Rights for Children (JRC)—a global network of over 250 partner organisations spanning India, Nepal, Kenya, and the USA. Ribhu has filed more than 60 Public Interest Litigations (PILs) in Indian courts addressing child trafficking, child marriage, sexual exploitation, and hazardous labour, helping transform both policy and public perception.
Legal Wins That Changed the System
Ribhu played a critical role in aligning Indian legal definitions of trafficking with UN standards, securing a Supreme Court order to treat it as a criminal offence. His activism also resulted in a mandate for automatic FIR registration in missing child cases. Furthermore, he was instrumental in closing a long-standing loophole by successfully advocating for a ban on child labour in hazardous industries—a decision that has impacted thousands of children nationwide.
A Global Honour with National Significance
The Medal of Honour, presented by WJA President Javier Cremades, is among the most respected global accolades in the legal field. Ribhu’s recognition highlights India’s growing influence in international human rights advocacy, particularly in the sphere of child justice. It is a tribute not just to individual excellence, but also to a broader movement of legal reform emerging from the Global South.
Setting a Global Example for Legal Impact
Ribhu’s success is a reminder that sustained legal activism can drive structural change. His model—combining courtroom strategy, coalition-building, and legislative advocacy—offers a blueprint for addressing child rights globally. As India asserts a larger role in international legal discourse, Bhuwan Ribhu’s legacy is set to inspire a new generation of rights-based legal reformers.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
| Category | Details |
| Award Name | Medal of Honour – World Jurist Association |
| Recipient | Bhuwan Ribhu |
| Occasion | World Law Congress 2025 |
| Host Country | Dominican Republic |
| Organisation Founded | Just Rights for Children (JRC) |
| Legal Experience | 20+ years in child rights litigation |
| Key Legal Actions | 60+ PILs on child labour, trafficking, and abuse |
| Historic Achievement | First Indian to receive this global legal honour |
| Presented By | Javier Cremades, President – WJA |
