Triggs honoured for human rights work

The under-siege president of Australia's human rights watchdog has been honoured for her advocacy, amid calls for her resignation.

Gillian Triggs was awarded the Sir Ron Wilson Human Rights Award by the Australian Council for International Development in recognition of her outstanding contribution to advancing human rights.

"She has given voice to the most marginalised and kept human rights at the centre of public and political debate," ACFID president Sam Mostyn said.

Not everyone is enamoured by the commissioner's performance in the job.

Professor Triggs has lost support inside the Turnbull government following feisty exchanges with coalition senators in the past year or so, with some suggesting she should be replaced as president of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

"Her work to defend human rights in principle and her focus on issues such as the inquiry into children in detention has been critical," Ms Mostyn said.

"More than ever, we need advocates like Professor Triggs."

Ms Mostyn cited the commissioner's focus on issues such as the inquiry into children in immigration detention.

Prof Triggs delayed the inquiry until after the 2013 election following discussions with two Labor immigration ministers, a move that angered the new coalition government.