Over the years, Vladimir Kara-Murza has always demonstrated an uncompromising attitude in defence of the persecuted. In 2015-2017, several attempts to poison him took place but he remained in Russia despite the threat to his life, even after the onset of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. He was arrested in April 2022 and then sentenced to 25 years in prison for treason, diffusion of "misinformation" about the Russian army, and involvement in an "undesirable organisation". Vladimir Kara-Murza, who has always sought to highlight the plight of political prisoners in Russia, has himself become one of them.

Honouring the Russian defender of human rights with the Minister of Foreign Affairs award is an important sign of support for both the dissident himself and that part of Russia’s civil society which disagrees with the policies of their government. Some of them, including Vladimir Kara-Murza himself, are paying a very heavy price for that.

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The Pro Dignitate Humana award has been conferred annually for 12 years by the Polish Foreign Minister to an individual or a non-governmental organisation in recognition of uncompromising actions to defend the rights of repressed people and those at risk of repression, and a steadfast attitude in defence of individual rights and respect for human dignity.