The award recognises her commitment to raising awareness and advocating for human rights in North Korea, as well as her academic work surrounding the rights of minorities and vulnerable communities across the globe.

Ms Aamir graduated with an LLB from the University of Glasgow and a master’s degree from the University of Cambridge, where she was associate editor of the Human Rights Law Review. She currently studies international and human rights law as a postgraduate at Oxford University. She is a Churchill Scholar at Gray’s Inn, where she trained as a barrister.

She received the reward at the IBA Annual Conference 2024 in Mexico.

Ms Aamir currently works with PSCORE, a human rights non-governmental organisation based in South Korea, where she navigates legal provisions to ensure the safeguarding of human rights for North Koreans. She has independently represented PSCORE before the United Nations Human Rights Commission and assisted the organisation in the campaign for internet access to be a human right.

In a letter of recommendation, Bada Nam, Secretary General of PSCORE, stated: “I believe Mashal is representative not only of the remarkable capabilities of Pathan women but an inspiration to lawyers around the world. Mashal shows a lifelong commitment to benefiting the legal profession at large, mentoring the younger generation and upholding ethics, as well as insuring global awareness and compliance with fundamental principles of justice.”

Ms Aamir said: “I am grateful that this award recognises the people I represent. We might feel far removed from the suffering in North Korea, we might not be able to relate to what it is like being in a prison in Peshawar, or being a woman in a rural village, but any violation of the rule of law engages our collective responsibility in this profession.

“Now more so than ever, we need the accountability of the law and for those who are far removed from its powers to be reminded that the law can reach them too. This award is a testament to the capabilities of many, when given the right support.”