prisoner of conscience

noun phrase

: someone who is held in prison because of his or her political or religious beliefs

Examples of prisoner of conscience in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, designated him a prisoner of conscience, while Time magazine named him among the world’s 100 most influential people that year. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 July 2026

Among its more exciting recent releases is this novel, about a Cambridge University academic who is haunted by the story of his soft-spoken grandfather, who for 10 years was a prisoner of conscience in Vietnam. — Michael Schaub, Oc Register, 25 June 2025

The film delves into the theme of departure and aging as the globally renowned playwright is seen adding a new role – that of film director – to his past credits as prisoner of conscience, statesman and national reformer. — Will Tizard, Variety, 25 Oct. 2023

Historians and human rights activists, however, said that for decades, as Mandela languished as a prisoner of conscience, Buthelezi amplified his power with devious stratagems. — Robert D. McFadden, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023