Elena Urlaeva is an Uzbek human rights activist. She is the head of the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan. For years, Ms. Urlaeva has been documenting cases of forced labor in the cotton industry. Because of her work, the activist has been arrested, beaten, and imprisoned by Uzbek officials. In 2010, Elena Urlaeva received the Per Anger Prize for her selfless struggle for human rights.

The mission of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative is to recognize and celebrate courageous individuals all over the world lending a helping hand to those in need, often with no regard to their own safety and well-being. We are honored to shed light on extraordinary human rights defenders, medical workers, activists, humanitarians, and other brave modern-day heroes who give humanity hope for a brighter future and to raise global awareness of their daily work. This is especially crucial in times like these when solidarity is needed more than ever to alleviate human suffering.