H.M. King Felipe VI presents the World Peace and Liberty Award to Andrew Young, icon of Civil Rights in the U.S.  

H.M. King Felipe VI of Spain presented the World Peace and Liberty Award - granted by the World Jurist Association (WJA) - to Andrew Young, icon of Civil Rights in the USA and collaborator of Martin Luther King, in the framework of the presentation at the new Rule of Law Digital Center in Madrid of the 28th edition of the World Law Congress, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the WJA and will be held in New York on July 20 and 21.

While presenting the World Law Congress 2023, H.M. the King pointed out the importance of each new edition since "mutual learning and the exchange of legal ideas and concepts are crucial to build a global legal consensus based on and therefore recognizing the inherent dignity of all people". For His Majesty, the name of the next edition, Peace through Law congress "becomes a call to embrace law in an increasingly convulsive world; many parts of the world are suffering from an erosion in the functioning of and adherence to democracy, which also naturally weakens the rule of law. What is at stake is the preservation of the best model that civilization has created to ensure peaceful coexistence: a constitutional and democratic rule of law."

The World Peace and Liberty Award is the highest award given by the World Jurist Association (WJA), and is considered the "Nobel Prize" of law. In the words of H.M. the King, Andrew Young "has contributed to changing the course of American history for the better, and he did so through his own experience and a lifetime of effort; service to others has always defined his career with a spirit of humility, pacifism and serenity".

In accepting his award, Andrew Young assured that "I am ready to continue with this effort, with your confidence, faith in justice and the willingness to work in favor of the law".

Javier Cremades, president of the World Jurist Association (WJA), pointed out that Young "is a leader in the struggle for civil rights and is also part of the contemporary history of the United States and the world, in his battle for human rights". He affirmed that this recognition seeks to highlight Young’s international work in favor of "social, political and economic progress for the oppressed around the world". He added that "Young represents the values of the World Jurist Association because throughout his professional career he has been an example to humanity for his defense of the rule of law".

The Rule of Law Digital Center Madrid, the first center for the promotion of the Rule of Law launched by the World Law Foundation (WLF) and the World Jurist Association, in collaboration with the law firm Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo, was created with the aim of being a showcase, a physical and digital window to the world through which the World Law Foundation (WLF), the World Jurist Association (WJA) and the international legal and business communities can join forces and carry out common actions to promote the rule of law and have a positive impact on society. Cremades pointed out that "the rule of law is the greatest bastion for defending citizens and disseminating this concept is essential to maintain the rule of law". In this regard, His Majesty the King has assured that "it really represents a step further for the international legal community to adapt its capabilities through digital media, in order to follow the course of justice, and navigate through these rapidly changing times". That is how "Madrid becomes one of the great world capitals of law, and a meeting point open to conversation and dialogue". This new space will be the setting for a permanent campaign in defense of peace and freedom, with law as the most fundamental tool for achieving it".

H.M. the King also presented the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Medals of Honor - awarded by the World Jurist Association -  to Lady Brenda Hale (Baroness Hale of Richmond), Chief Justice of the United Kingdom between 2017 and 2020 and the first woman to hold this position, Ambiga Sreenevasan, lawyer, Malaysian activist for free elections, women’s rights and human rights advocate, Imrana Jalal, chair of the World Bank Inspection Panel, human rights lawyer and founder of the gender equality movement in her native Fiji, Asifa Kakar, judge of the Supreme Court of Afghanistan and member of the 2003 Afghan Constitution Drafting Commission on behalf of the Afghan Refugee Women Judges Association, and Navi Pillay, judge of the International Criminal Court from 2003 to 2008, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014 and president of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Pillay has collected this year in person the medal that was presented to her in 2021 and that she accepted virtually due to the travel restrictions established at that time.

The King also presented the Medal of Honor of the World Jurist Association to his former constitutional law professor, Manuel Aragón, Judge Emeritus of the Spanish Constitutional Court, to whom he dedicated some warm words, and to Spanish jurists Pedro Pérez-Llorca, managing partner of Pérez-Llorca, and Luis de Carlos, former managing partner of Uría Menéndez.

The laudatio was given by Leonel Fernández, President of the Dominican Republic from 1996 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2012, who emphasized that Young is "a powerful voice for peace, a true model for all those who seek prosperity and well-being". He recognized "his leadership and tireless dedication to human dignity, justice and equality". The World Law Congress, which is held every two years, will be held in 2025 in the Dominican Republic folloing this year’s edition in New York.

Didier Reynders, European Commissioner for Justice, closed the event together with H.M. the King, and stressed the importance of "paying tribute to exceptional women who have promoted the rule of law and equality, who have demonstrated an unprecedented persistence and capacity to promote peace and justice". Regarding the award given to Andrew Young, he said that "it is truly admirable to recognize his trajectory and his struggle against oppression, which has been commendable". He also took the opportunity to recommend before His Majesty the King that the renewal of the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) be implemented in Spain as a priority before Spain assumes the presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, and asked to modify the system of appointment of members of judicial origin taking into account European standards.