International Service Human Rights Awards 2007

Presented by Jon Snow at the House of Commons

Supported by Bryan Sanderson and Galliard Healthcare Communications

Award ceremony: 6th December 2007

The 2007 Award Winners

Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of Women
Najia Haneefi
Former director of the Afghan Women’s Educational Centre.
The Women’s Educational Centre in Kabul, Afghanistan is one of Afghanistan’s largest grassroots women’s NGOs. The centre promotes the rights, self sufficiency and empowerment of Afghan women.

Najia has been campaigning for Afghan women’s rights for many years. She worked to empower women throughout civil war and the Taliban regime even though her activities provoked threats and attacks from fundamentalists. She has made a real difference to Afghan women’s lives. One of her most memorable achievements was successfully leading a campaign against the reintroduction of a Ministry of Vice and
Virtue which, a year ago, seemed certain.

The judges were impressed with the “great commitment” shown by Najia, who has devoted much of her adult life to campaigning for Afghan women’s rights. They commented that Najia has remained committed to her cause despite the real threat to her life her activities provoked, this shows “immense personal courage”. The judges were also impressed with the work of the Afghan Women’s Educational Centre which they referred to as sustainable and effective. They commented on the effectiveness of the combination of practical projects and political campaigning.



Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of Disabled People
Rosangela Berman-Bieler from the Inter-American Institute on Disability and Inclusive Development.

Rosangela Berman-Bieler is a Brazilian journalist, publisher and disability rights advocate.

She founded the first Independent Living Centre in Brazil in the 1980s. There are now 23 of such centres in Brazil, as well as centres in Uruguay and Argentina. She is also founder and president of the Inter-American Institute on Disability and Inclusive Development. Rosangela is considered an expert in the field of inclusive development and has worked as a consultant for the UN, the World Bank and the ILO. One of her most notable achievements is pushing for and helping to develop the recently created UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disability.

The judges felt that Rosangela has made “fantastic concrete achievements” for example the establishment of the independent living centres across Latin America. The judges were impressed by Rosangela’s growth as an activist, beginning at the grassroots of disability rights campaigning to influencing the highest echelons of world politics. The judges felt that Rosangela’s works covered many different bases and had a wide impact.

They were impressed with her long term commitment and the sustainable nature of her achievements.

Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of Children
Operation Sirigu, Afrikids

Operation Sirigu works with communities in the Kassena Nankana District (KND) of Northern Ghana to sensitively tackle the ‘spirit child’ phenomenon that frequently leads to infanticide and child abandonment. The project’s holistic approach involves: collaboration with soothsayers responsible for diagnosing spirit children, empowering local community groups and supporting initiatives whose activities address the phenomenon’s symptoms and root causes.The Judges referred to Operation Sirigu as an "outstanding" organisation. They were impressed by the bravery shown by the organisation for tackling such a deep rooted cultural phenomenon and the great sensitivity with which the problem is confronted. The judges felt Operation Sirigu’s approach was subtle, sophisticated, practical, and with a significant sustainable impact.

Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of People Living with HIV/AIDS
Association for the Development and Support to Communities (ADAC), to be received by Nabilaye Issa Touré

ADAC (Association pour le Développement et l’Appui aux Communautés) is one the most successful and respected women’s organisations in Mali. Its network of credit and savings groups has enabled it to benefit families that State and other organisations fail to reach. Since 1995 ADAC has also been working with people living with HIV/AIDS. ADAC found 13% of the 4,807 individuals they referred for testing were HIV positive. Currently they support 80 adults with AIDS; 100 children who are HIV positive; 80 prostitutes who are HIV positive; and around 120 children orphaned by AIDS but there are many more in the area who would benefit from their services.
As the nearest testing centre is 2 hours away by bus, ADAC has set up counselling services in two local centres to ensure that a full range of support is given before and after testing. Anti retrovirals are free in Mali but there is little information about side effects, other infections or proper diet to boost immune systems. In addition, ADAC provides support for its HIV/AIDS counsellors, a new departure in Mali.

ADAC’s presence in traditional close-knit grassroots communities drew the judges to recognise the organisations’ remarkable efforts and sensitive handling of complex situations. ADAC’s efforts in making its work sustainable were also highlighted by the judges.

Award for the Global Human Rights Defender
Unreported World

Unreported World is one of the most critically acclaimed series on British television. Its team of reporters travels to some of the most dangerous and neglected parts of the globe. Speaking to the people directly affected by issues such as globalisation, the war on terror, ethnic conflict or land ownership, Unreported World offers the viewer an unrivalled insight into the daily reality for those whose lives are rarely glimpsed by the global news machine. Unreported World is consistently ahead of the pack; unearthing stories and travelling to emerging hotspots before the rest of the world’s news teams catch up. With a raw immediacy giving viewers a chance to appreciate what life is really like for those who are being filmed, and the issues that dominate everyday life inevitably rising to the surface, Unreported World is television reportage at its best.

The judges were impressed with the bravery shown by the journalists reporting for Unreported World, they felt they showed great courage and commitment to exposing human rights abuses and unjust poverty. The judges were impressed by the "high quality journalism" and the "real issues" which Unreported World choose to cover despite a growing trend away from diversifying news stories to cover global issues. This illustrates the courage and integrity of the Production Company and commissioners.

The Awards

The International Service Human Rights Awards highlight the distinctive role international development workers play in protecting and defending the human rights of some of the world’s most vulnerable people, as well as honouring the organisations and brave individuals that they work with.

These awards do more than give recognition to the NGOs concerned. They protect lives. The awards ensure that the human rights of those honoured are less likely to be violated, along with those for whom they work.

Jon Snow is presenting the award ceremony at the House of Commons on Wednesday 5th December which are sponsored by Hugh Bayley MP. Previous winners include Bianca Jagger, Mark Thomas and Benjamin Zephaniah.

The Categories

• Defence of the Human Rights of Women

• Defence of the Human Rights of Disabled People

• Defence of the Human Rights of Children

• Defence of the Human Rights of People Living with HIV/AIDS

• Global Human Rights Defender

If you have any questions please contact Valeria Guarneros on 01904 647799 or by email
Human Rights Awards
International Service
57 Goodramgate
York YO1 7FX

Previous award winners
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