Template

International Service Human Rights Awards

The awards highlight the special 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.

Past Awards Ceremonies

2006 Award Ceremony

Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of Women
Joint Winners

Nizaam (Cookie) Edwards
Provincial Coordinator of the KZN Network on Violence Against Women and Intersect Coalitions. South Africa.

Cookie Edwards pioneered and now coordinates the KwaZulu-Natal Network on Violence against Women which played a major role in the creation of the New Domestic Violence Act of 1999 and the setting up of the Durban Family Court as well as participating in numerous other public safety outreach programmes seeking to improve the fate of women who are survivors of violence in South Africa.

Cookie Edwards began working to prevent violence against women 18 years ago. She has used her personal history to inspire and support survivors of violence. At times she even offered her home as a shelter. When she became the KZN Intersect Coalition Coordinator, she devoted herself to setting up coalitions by bringing together the two sectors (Women and HIV/AIDS) to work together on the two co-epidemics and establishing and strengthening regional networks to work towards the prevention and eradication on violence against women. She has established innovative projects/programmes and public awareness campaigns to prevent violence against women, and turned Intersect into an integral part of the South African Community. She continues to work to improve the lives and defend Women’s Human Rights in South Africa.

VSO nominated Cookie for the award because of the longevity of her work which she has undertaken despite the risk to her livelihood her work has involved.

Dominga Vasquez (Guatemalen Women’s Rights Activist) and Helen Woodcock (Peace Brigade’s International UK volunteer)

Ten years after a brutal thirty year conflict in Guatemala, the human rights situation is at a critical condition: in 2005, there were an estimated 224 attacks against human rights defenders, as documented by The National Human Rights Movement’s Protection Unit, with the same patterns evident in 2006.

These are the treacherous conditions in which Dominga Vasquez works to promote the rights of women and indigenous people. Public appreciation of her hard work was recognized when she was elected as the first female Indigenous Mayor of Solola. When performing her Mayoral duties, Dominga applies Mayan vision and traditional approaches to conflict-resolution in order to bring peace and unity to Guatemala to improve the lives of women there.

PBI began accompanying Dominga in her efforts in February 2005 and it was through this partnership that she met Helen Woodcock. As part of the PBI team, Helen provides an international protective accompaniment to Dominga, putting her own personal safety at risk. The physical presence and support of international volunteers such as Helen empowers human rights activists to defend their rights without fear of violence or reprisals. Peace Brigades International nominated this brave partnership for the award.

Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of Children

Phomolong Support Group

The Phomolong Support Group is a grassroots organisation specialising in improving the lives of impoverished orphans and vulnerable people who have been affected by the HIV/AIDS virus in Maseru, Lesotho, with the ultimate goal of eradicating child poverty altogether in the area. Established in 1995, the group consists of 50 volunteers who aim to provide these disadvantaged people with the basic social resources we take for granted every day, such as health care, food and shelter.

Dedication to the cause has resulted in the group attaining funding to pay for high school fees for 87 students to ensure that they can continue their formal education. This enables them to acquire transferable skills which will leave a legacy of educated children able to build a fairer and more participatory community. Profits from income generation activities and agricultural production units set up by the group were used to purchase food parcels and learning materials for the neediest children.

Skillshare International (who nominated the group for the award) and the judges would like to congratulate them for their voluntary work and longstanding commitment.

The Award was collected by Mathuso Moroeng, the Chair of the Phomolong Support Group.

Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of Disabled People

AKASA (Association of Women with Disabilities)

AKASA- nominated for this award by Handicap International- is a grassroots disabled women’s human rights organisation, based in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka founded by Ms N.G.Kamalawathe who will accept the award on behalf of AKASA. The organisation’s main objective is to empower disabled women and to help them enjoy their basic rights in a society where these rights are often denied to them.

AKASA works to improve the lives of one of the least empowered sections of the Sri Lankan community. It does this by providing loans to enable economic empowerment and independence. This programme of micro-credit has improved the lives of over 850 people.

AKASA also runs a small centre for girls with severe learning disabilities, who have been abandoned by their families. The centre gives the girls access to vocational training where they are taught sewing and embroidery skills by trained staff.

AKASA are currently pioneering a new programme in training motorcycle maintenance which will provide disabled Sri Lankan’s with a very valuable and profitable skill.

Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of People Living with HIV/AIDS

Nomakuze Solwande (deceased) and the Masonwabisane Women’s Support Centre

Violence against women in South Africa is a huge social problem: much of this abuse goes largely unrecognised by the country’s health and development policy.

In an effort to help combat this problem Nomakuze Solwande founded Masonwabisane Women’s Support Centre in 2001. Masonwabisane is a community-based organization in the town of Butterworth in the Eastern Cape, South Africa’s poorest province. The organization aims to provide immediate support to women and children who have experienced domestic or sexual violence to increase community awareness of violence and HIV/AIDS.

Nomakuze’s death in March 2006 from erroneous medical treatment has left the Butterworth community bereft of a committed guardian and friend. This award honours her dedication to making a difference to women’s lives: she was an excellent role model who fought locally and over a long period of time, and who recognised the causal link between the spread of HIV/AIDS and violence against women. It is on this basis that WOMANKIND Worldwide nominated her for this award. She leaves behind four children and a dedicated team who are committed to carrying on her courageous work.

Her award was be collected by Bongiwe Mokoena, the current Director of Masonwabisane Women’s Support Centre.

All photographs: Andy Aitchison

2005 Award Ceremony

The International Service Human Rights Awards 2005 took place on Thursday 8th December.

The Categories
Prizes were awarded to human rights defenders in the following categories:
· Grass-Roots Human Rights Campaigner
· International Volunteer Human Rights Defender
· Partner Organisation Achievement
· Global Human Rights Defender

International Service wishes to thank Bryan Sanderson and Galliard Healthcare Communications for their kind support of these awards. We would also like to thank this year’s host, Ian Hislop, and the judges: Haleh Afshar, Stephen Bowen, Marika Freris, Bryan Sanderson and Candy Whittome.

The Ceremony in London

The ceremony took place at the House of Commons in a lunchtime event kindly hosted by Ian Hislop. It was attended by over 150 people including high profile lawyers, members of parliament, journalists and people working in human rights organisations.

Above: Ian Hislop. Photos: Andrew Aitcheson

The Winners

Winner of the Grass-Roots Human Rights Campaigner Award: Dora Akunyili, Director of NAFDAC

Dora Akunyili is the Director of NAFDAC, the government agency that roots out fake medicines in Nigeria. A survey conducted with the World Health Organisation found more than half the drugs on sale in Nigeria were fake or sub-standard. Nigeria's hospitals were using fake and contaminated drips, surgeons were using fake adrenalin to re-start the heart, anaesthetists were giving sub-strength muscle relaxant to patients in their operating theatres.

Until her arrival at NAFDAC, counterfeit drug importers simply paid a bribe to get their products into the market. She changed all that. The judges commented that they admired her direct style and the bravery she has shown in the face of death threats and assassination attempts in the fight against fake pharmaceuticals.
Dora said on winning her award:
“Our fight against fake drugs in Nigeria has been an act of love. Our courage in this fight needs hope for nourishment. The American Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said “We must accept finite disappointment but we must never loose infinite hope.” The accomplishments we have recorded so far have given hope to many Nigerians. The honour you have bestowed on me today is great nourishment to this struggle, as well as a grand manifestation of hope.
“Our goal is to eradicate fake drugs in Nigeria and other African countries, and create a strong regulatory environment for food and drugs, so that Nigeria will continue to play a leading role in food and drug regulation, thus protecting the right to live a healthy life by most Africans that are already overburdened by poverty, hunger, diseases, lack of basic infrastructural facilities and debt.
“Part of the cash prize of this award will be given to the jobless widow and the two toddlers of the bus driver, Mr. Emeka Onuekutu, who was killed during the attempt on my life in 2003. This young man was actually killed on the spot by bullets targeted at me.
“Furthermore, in 2002, NAFDAC instituted an annual essay competition for Nigerian high school children, in which cash-prizes and computers are awarded to the best students and to their schools. We also established consumer safety clubs in these high schools as a platform for interacting with and educating the students for the establishment of a culture of quality consciousness in Nigeria. The rest of this cash prize will be devoted to further support these programmes.
"I dedicate this Award to Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo who passed away recently. I also dedicate it to all the innocent people, who have died from the use of fake drugs, especially my sister Vivian.”

Winner of the International Volunteer Human Rights Defender Award: Ross Georgeson

Ross Georgeson is an arts educator who has worked with children affected by poverty and war for International Service in both Gaza and West Africa. He worked in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for six years, during this time he worked with after school clubs in refugee camps in Gaza; organised the first Arts Summer Camps in Gaza; introduced Art for Therapy for Occupational Therapists in Gaza and contributed Creative Therapy training at the University of Bethlehem; introduced child-centred art and crafts in state kindergartens, primary and secondary schools; and organised exhibitions of children's art.
From 2002-2004, with psychologists, he ran courses to train prospective teachers in the attitudes and skills needed for working with children in difficult circumstances.

Ross has also published three teachers' handbooks now used extensively throughout Palestine. This year he is working with International Service again on the Coaching for Hope initiative, where he teaches children in West Africa about their rights and builds their self-esteem through art workshops.
The judges liked this unique entry because it highlights the importance of protecting children's rights. Judges were particularly impressed by Ross's production of textbooks, ensuring that his work is completely sustainable.
Ross made the following acceptance speech:
“Art and creativity are not often thought of in terms of rights, but are intrinsic in terms of recreation, the right to play, culture and freedom of expression.
“The more work I do, and the more amazing people I work with, only strengthens my conviction that creativity is an essential and powerful tool in therapy, education and human development. Everybody at some point wants to be heard, connect, and be understood and there are many languages in which to do this, some of them are none verbal. These are not just people who are burdened with poverty, conflict or disability, without creativity, there is no innovation, and I’d find great sadness in that.
“I’d like to thank International Service for their continuing support, encouragement and flak jacket.”

Winner of the Partner Organisation Achievement Award: Réseau National de Lutte Anti-Corruption (REN-LAC)

REN-LAC is at the front line in the fight against corruption in Burkina Faso. A civil society network of 30 members (organisations, institutions and personalities), it conducts awareness raising, denunciation, lobbying and studies on the strategies of fight against corruption throughout the whole Burkina Faso. The organisation makes an impact for people who face corruption in everyday life, working from the bottom up as well as the top down.

The judges liked REN-LAC’s imaginative campaigning, which include the use of theatre, television programmes and comic books to reach all levels and ages in society. They also admired the way that they manage to fight corruption a very publicly, despite all the obstacles that they face.

REN-LAC were presented with their award in Burkina Faso, they said on winning the award:
“Corruption is a widely spread phenomenon in Burkina Faso. Transparency International classified Burkina Faso as the 70th most corrupted country in the world, although only a few years ago, during Thomas Sankara’s revolution era, Burkina Faso was known as the country of people of integrity.
“Corruption is a public concern affecting all areas of society and the development of the country as a whole. What is worse, is that the phenomenon tends to be generalised in all sectors of the economic and social lives of people. The middle class Burkinabe seems to consider corruption as something which is normal and which should be considered as a usual practice to solve problems. So it is very common to hear about statements such as “poor people are more corrupted than rich people”, “it is normal that civil servants are corrupt because their salaries are not enough to feed their families” and “nobody can be rich without being corrupt”. All these statements, currently shared by the common peoples consciousness, contribute to legitimate corruption.
“Facing the rapid increase of the corruption, REN-LAC and other organisations in civil society have united their energies to fight against it. Since our official recognition on 25th January 1998, REN-LAC has conducted awareness raising, denunciation, lobbying, studies on the strategies of fight against corruption, throughout the whole Burkina Faso. Our objective is to reduce corrupt practices throughout Burkina Faso and this award makes us more determined than ever to protect and promote human rights through a tireless fight against corruption.”

Winner of the Global Human Rights Defender Award: Benjamin Zephaniah

Benjamin Zephaniah is a writer and dub poet who has dedicated his life to exposing human rights abuses and social injustices.
This award is given to “an individual who brings to the attention of a wider audience, human rights causes which would otherwise be overlooked.” The way he uses his position to contest institutional racism embodies this perfectly.
His high profile fight for social equality within the UK involves him in over 30 charities and community groups including Disability Equality in Education, Blackliners and the Chinese Women’s Refuge Group. He believes that working with human rights groups, animal rights groups and other political organisations means that he will never lack subject matter. He gained widespread attention in late 2003 for his public refusal of an OBE, he said accepting it would be accepting thousands of years of brutality and slavery.
The judges commended him for his “diverse and effective” methods working for a variety of cultures and backgrounds, and not being afraid to take on big problems in civil society.

He said on winning the award:
“In the years I’ve been active as a poet and a writer I have turned down more awards than I have accepted, but it was a real honour to accept this one. In the presence of the people who are here to receive awards today I feel like a little speck of dust, because on the whole I don’t really face any danger, I’m not really risking my life, although I was on a British Council tour once in Gaza, walking with a couple of friends when we came under fire from some Israeli soldiers, so I started picking up stones and throwing them at the soldiers, and the next day on the front of one of the Palestinian newspapers, there was a picture of me doing aiming a stone – I was really scared in case anybody from the British Council saw it. Apart from that I don’t really risk my life that much.

“I was thinking about why I was accepting this award. I grew up in Birmingham, in a small Jamaican community, at time of the SAS law, which meant the police could stop you if you looked suspicious, and every black man looked suspicious: a friend of mine was arrested because they thought he was attempting to rob own his mother. I decided to write about those situations, in about 1979 I moved to London, when I came to London I found a job in an alternative bookshop, working in that bookshop taught me a lot and that, mixed with listening to Bob Marley, gave me a real direction for my poetry. It’s not enough to just write about it though, which is why I am involved with the organisations that I now represent – at the last count it was 47 organisations, it would take me all day to tell you about them and what they do, but they are all organisations that I feel passionately about, so I would like to accept this award on their behalf.”

Prizes are awarded annually in the following categories:

1. Partner organisation achievement – this award will recognise the importance of effective organisations working in partnership for human rights. This award honours the whole organisation and lifts the morale of all its staff and supporters. A cash prize to be spent on furthering the work of the organisation will be awarded.

2. Grass-roots human rights campaigner – this award rewards the “unsung heroes” of human rights who daily risk their lives so that the truth may be heard, the defenceless defended and the powers that be are held to account. This award will provide the individual with recognition, the protection of a higher profile and a cash sum to further their work and ability to represent their organisation

3. International volunteer human rights defender – this award recognises that individuals from many different countries feel moved to work with the powerless and the persecuted. They pursue this work fearlessly and highly effectively often treading where nationals of the country may not go. This award will provide the individual with recognition and a small travel budget in order to help them reach the real decision makers and force them to listen.

4. Global human rights defender – this award is presented to the individual who has used their status, fame or celebrity to bring to the attention of a wider audience human rights causes which would otherwise be overlooked or conveniently ignored.

Nominations are open to UK volunteer-sending agencies via their overseas Field Offices or HQs.

To find out about past awards click here
For more information please email Charlotte

International Service Human Rights Awards 2004

The International Service Human Rights Awards 2004 took place on Wednesday 10th November.

photos by davidxgreen.com

International Service wishes to thank Bryan Sanderson and Galliard Healthcare Communications for their kind support of these awards. We would also like to thank the judges: Haleh Afshar, Stephen Bowen, Candy Whittome and Cissa Wa Numbe.

The Categories
Prizes were awarded to human rights defenders in the following categories:
· Grass-Roots Human Rights Campaigner
· International Volunteer Human Rights Defender
· Partner Organisation Achievement
· Global Human Rights Defender

The Ceremony in London
The ceremony took place at the House of Commons in a lunchtime event kindly hosted by Jon Snow. It was attended by over 90 people including high profile lawyers, members of parliament, journalists and people working in human rights organisations.

The Winners

Esther Chavez, Founder of Casa Amiga: Grass-Roots Human Rights Campaigner Award

Over the last decade, more than 360 young women have been found murdered and mutilated in and around Ciudad Juarez; very little has been done by the Mexican authorities to solve these cases.
In 1999 Esther Chavez founded Casa Amiga to provide services to the families of the victims and survivors of similar abuse. With a small annual budget the organisation offers a wide range of services, primarily psychological, medical, and legal to survivors of violence, abuse, sexual assault, rape, incest, and sexual harassment. It functions as a rape crisis centre and safety zone for battered women.
Esther Chavez won the award for great courage in a very dangerous situation, for the imagination and vision to create the centre and for dedication to the cause. This award will give international support to a small organisation as well as the possibility of greater protection and enhanced influence.

Audrey Bomse, Volunteer at the Jerusalem Centre for Human Rights: International Volunteer Human Rights Defender Award

Audrey Bomse brought 25 years’ experience and knowledge from her work in civil rights legal representation in the US to Jerusalem with her when she began her placement with IS in 2001. During her time in Jerusalem, Audrey has established a settler violence hotline, which is operated along the lines of a domestic violence hotline. Her other work involves:
· Conducting research on the current abuses of human rights in Israel and the Occupied Territories;
· Training Palestinian lawyers on procedures involving the Israeli military and civil courts;
· Writing pamphlets for public distribution which outline the legal rights of citizens and
· Networking locally and internationally to provide information and guidance to human rights organizations working in Israel and the Occupied Territories.
The judges felt that Audrey had “clearly shown real personal commitment and used her skills and experience to precise and fruitful effect. She is a real role model for other development workers in this difficult region”.

Action on Disability and Development (ADD) West Africa: Partner Organisation Achievement Award

Disabled people in West Africa, as elsewhere, are often excluded from the social, educational, economic and political systems. This is a denial of fundamental human rights. ADD West Africa, with whom International Service has worked closely for a decade, has won this award for defending the rights of disabled people in the region and for its excellent work in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Not only has ADD West Africa tackled the issue of facilitating physical access, it has promoted the inclusion of disabled people at all stages of development.
For nearly a decade ADD has been an IS partner organisation, with IS development workers placed with ADD in both Mali and Burkina Faso. In the UK, ADD’s head office and its staff have joined with International Service in the facilitating of two international conferences on the issue of disability and development.
Barbara Frost, Chief Executive of ADD accepted the award on behalf of the West Africa programme.

Sigrid Rausing, Women’s Rights Campaigner: Joint Winner, Global Human Rights Defender Award

Sigrid Rausing has been involved with over 30 human rights organisations around the world, including Womankind Worldwide, Refuge and Anti-Slavery International. A graduate of York University with a PhD in Social Anthropology, she has won this award for her strong commitment to women's rights.
The judges said, "Her determination to provide for the cause of women's rights is outstanding. She has shown huge dedication and vision in her work to help women escape from violence and poverty".

Mark Thomas, Comedian and Human Rights Worker: Joint Winner, Global human Rights Defender Award

Mark Thomas is committed to exposing human rights abuses, scandals and cover-ups within governments and large companies around the world. He does this through campaigning, comedy, and most recently, an art exhibition. He is best known for his show The Mark Thomas (Comedy) Product, which ran on Channel 4 from 1996 to 2002. The judges have given him this award for using his skills and talent so intelligently to raise public awareness of human rights abuses at home and abroad. One of the judges commented that, "Something I have always believed in is 'do what you can to make a difference' - and he has done that brilliantly"

The Press Coverage
The International Service Human Rights Awards 2004 and the winners gained the following media coverage:
Radio 4
The New Statesman
The Independent
The Sunday Times
Third Sector
Chortle.co.uk
BBC.co.uk
The Yorkshire Evening Press

The International Service Human Rights Awards 2003

The inaugural International Service Human Rights Awards took place on Monday 15th December 2003. They were made in recognition of human rights campaigners who work for change at a local, national and international level often at considerable personal risk and without thought of personal gain.

Prizes were awarded to human rights defenders in the following categories: · International – Bianca Jagger

National – Raji Sourani from Palestine

Regional – Modibo Sangho from Mali and Andrea Flores from Latin America

With the support of The Alan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust we were able to grant a cash prize to the overseas winners to enable them to develop their work further.

The Ceremony in London

The ceremony took place at the House of Commons in a lunchtime ceremony hosted by Lord Bassam. It was attended by over 80 people including high profile lawyers, members of parliament, journalists and people working in human rights organisations and covered in Hello! magazine. Jon Snow kindly presented the awards.

Bianca Jagger won the International Award for her outstanding individual contribution to the cause of human rights worldwide, on human rights she said:

“…Individuals matter. Noble ideals such as peace, justice, freedom, liberty and equality are a hollow skeleton until they are fleshed out with real examples, specific situations, by individual people and individual actions.

“For the sake of peace and justice, and for the sake of our children and their children's future, now is the time for people to stand firm and demand of our elected leaders, as well as each other, that we demonstrate our commitment to uphold human rights in the strongest possible way, through our actions and our decisions. If we do not, it is not just posterity that will hold us to account…

“I feel that one of the failings of our society today is that people have begun to lose the belief that they can influence the decision-makers. Individuals can make a difference.”

Raji Sourani, Director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza won the National Award for the upholding of international law in Palestine. On his work with International Service Raji said:

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for having been invited to participate in this event with UNAIS, International Service as it is now known in the UK, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The year also marks the 25th year of its activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. UNAIS development assistance to the Occupied Palestinian Territories over these years has been founded on respect for their partners, and for the Palestinian community at large, and a commitment to find ways in which to assist non-governmental organizations in all spheres to develop their capacities and services. UNAIS's relationship with these organizations has been one based on mutual respect; these are partnerships in every sense.

“I have had the honour of working with UNAIS, as an organization and its staff personally and professionally, for the last 15 years or so. Over this time, UNAIS and its staff, both at head office, and in the field, have consistently provided professional support and assistance including provision of development workers, information dissemination, assistance with donors, with skills development etc. This support has been unwavering through the most difficult of times, and we have found particular encouragement in their renewed efforts since the beginning of the current Intifada. …. I thank UNAIS, and all its staff and supporters, for the relationship we have enjoyed thus far and for the work which I hope we will continue to undertake together in the years to come.”

The Ceremony in Bolivia

The presentation took place in La Paz, at a reception hosted by the Field Office of International Service Bolivia in the colonial residence “The Auditorium”. Speeches were made by Anna Malavisi, Director International Service Bolivia and Sam Bickersteth, Head of Development of the Department for International Development DIFD.

The Ambassador of Great Britain, William Sinton, presented the award to Andrea Flores for supporting the rights of indigenous women in Aymara, in a modest but warm ceremony, in presence of several national authorities as well as representatives of national and international NGO´s and grassroots organizations.

Andrea Flores said:

"Without Women’s Rights there are no Human Rights. If we continue with this system of exclusion and the discrimination to the majorities, meaning the Indigenous People, we will continue with this structural problem in Bolivia

“The women of OMAK are fighting for the recognition of their human rights in daily life, not accepting violence as a “normal” way of life in their families, claiming their participation in decision making in the communities, demanding more education facilities, carrying out advocacy and offering guidance and information to their sisters on how to seek health care, legal help, legal recognition and documentation.

“This award strengthens my will to continue working not only for the women at OMAK, but for the rights of all young indigenous women.”

The Ceremony in Mali

A small presentation ceremony was held at the International Service field office in Mali. Kevin Ray, International Service’s Mali Field Director presented Modibo Sangho with a Regional Award for defending the rights of child workers in Bamako, Mali.

Heather Johnston, an International Service Development Worker said:

“I can think of no one more deserving of this award than Modibo. I know that his passion and determination for creating change [in the koranic school system], not to mention his ‘scrappiness’, will bring about the changes that are needed so that Malian children are able to receive a religious education in a comfortable and secure environment.”

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in the above speeches are those of the individual award winners, and do not necessarily reflect those of International Service, the award's sponsors and International Service partners nor do they have a bearing on the nomination process for the International Service Human Rights Award or its outcome.