Eldest daughter of Papuan nation (2010)
In December 2010 Carmel was presented the title "Eldest daughter of Papuan nation" by Democracy Forum for "showing great commitment, fighting alongside the people of Papua to protect the identity and ultimate freedom given by God to the people of Papua." Click here for further information and a video of the ceremony.
Order of Timor-Leste (2009)
In August 2009, on the tenth anniversary of East Timor's vote for independence, Carmel was presented with the Order of Timor-Leste by the country's President, José Ramos-Horta, 'For her Impressive Contribution to Peace, to the Timorese People and to Humanity'.
John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award (2008)
TAPOL Founder Carmel Budiardjo was the first recipient of the John Rumbiak Human Rights Defenders Award, which honours a Papuan who, until suffering a debilitating stroke in 2005 was a leading voice in the defence of Papuan human rights:
‘Ms Budiardjo is a legendary defender of human rights for the people of the Indonesian archipelago, whose activism and advocacy extends back four decades. In particular, she has been a leading champion of rights for the Papuan people, working with great success to mobilize the international community in their defence.’
Right Livelihood Award (1995)
In 1995, Carmel Budiardjo was awarded the Right Livelihood Award (unofficially known as the ‘alternative Nobel Peace Prize’), which was established in Stockholm and is presented in the Swedish Parliament ‘to honour and support those offering practical and exemplary answers to the most urgent challenges facing us today’. The Award Foundation citation stated:
‘Carmel Budiardjo has found in the repression suffered by her and her husband at the hands of the Indonesian Government the energy and dedication to campaign for over twenty years for Indonesian political prisoners and the oppressed and slaughtered people of East Timor. The jury honours her ‘for holding the Indonesian Government to account for its actions and upholding the universality of fundamental human rights.’
In the same year, Carmel received a certificate in acknowledgement of her activities from the Indonesian human rights organisation PIJAR and the following year was recognised by a coalition of Achenese NGOs:
‘Never in History So Many Owe So Much To So Few [sic] (Winston Chruchill): In the Intenationalization of the Acheh Conflict, Carmel Budiardjo of TAPOL is definitely an ace among these few.’