New York, NY: October 31, 2025 Acclaimed actor, humanitarian, and long-time advocate for Tibet, Richard Gere, has been honored as the first-ever recipient of the Human Rights First (HRF) Visionary Award. The award was presented during the 2025 Human Rights First Awards Celebration on October 14 at Gotham Hall in New York City, recognizing Gere’s decades-long commitment to defending human rights and advancing humanitarian causes around the world.
As the Board Chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT) for over 30 years, Gere has been a steadfast voice for the Tibetan people and their struggle for human rights, democratic freedoms, and self-determination. His leadership has been instrumental in promoting landmark U.S. legislation, including the 2020 Tibetan Policy and Support Act and the 2024 Resolve Tibet Act, both of which reinforced America’s commitment to supporting Tibetans in preserving their culture, religion, and identity in the face of Chinese government repression.
Presenting the award, Uzra Zeya, President and CEO of Human Rights First, praised Gere’s profound influence on global human rights advocacy.
“Richard Gere’s lifetime advocacy for the human rights of Tibetans has shaped U.S. and international policy responses by speaking truth to power and leveraging artistic achievement as a human rights force multiplier,” Zeya said.
In his acceptance remarks, Gere reaffirmed his dedication to the Tibetan cause and called for renewed global awareness of the ongoing human rights violations in Tibet.
“Today, and for more than six decades, the Tibetan people continue to face serious human rights violations. The world needs to know this, we cannot stay silent,” he stated.
Gere also reflected on the enduring wisdom and compassion at the heart of Tibetan culture, describing them as “a gift to all humanity.” He urged the international community to stand firm against efforts by the Chinese government to suppress Tibetan identity, saying,
“We must keep the light of Tibet’s wisdom alive, and ensure that the spirit of Tibet and all it represents for humanity never fades away.”
Under Gere’s leadership, the International Campaign for Tibet has become one of the most influential organizations advocating for Tibet’s freedom and cultural preservation. Through his work, Gere continues to inspire global solidarity with the Tibetan people and to uphold the universal values of compassion, justice, and human dignity.
