The Hist awarded the New York-based NGO’s executive director Fengsuo Zhou with a gold medal for outstanding contribution to public discourse at an event earlier this month.

Past recipients of the medal include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Patti Smith, Margaret Atwood, and Irish President Michael D. Higgins.

Mr Zhou was recognised for his unwavering courage and life-long commitment to advancing democracy and human rights in China and around the world.

In his acceptance speech, he said the honour belongs to the many courageous human rights defenders whom he has worked with over the past 35 years, including those still imprisoned by the Chinese government for their defence of human rights and freedoms, such as Wang Bingzhang and Xu Zhiyong.

He said: “For me, it is a privilege and honour to work with them, to know that these brave souls are fighting for the dignity and freedom of Chinese people and for the promotion of universal human rights.”

The event was attended by about 50 students and faculty who took part in a Q&A.

After the event, Mr Zhou said: “I appreciated the opportunity to share my life experiences, from Tiananmen Square to present day. I was especially encouraged by a few Chinese students who listened attentively.”