Human Rights Defenders Tulip 2011 awarded but not presented

This year on 10 December – International Human Rights Day – the Human Rights Defenders Tulip was awarded but not presented. The reason was that announcing the winner's name and home country would put the winner in danger.

The prize, which supports human rights defenders under threat owing to their activities, was awarded, as in previous years, by an independent jury chaired by Cisca Dresselhuys. But the safety of the winner and the winner's family is the highest priority. And since their safety cannot currently be guaranteed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the independent jury, in consultation with the winner's daughter and lawyer, have decided to postpone the ceremony. As soon as the situation permits, the winner will be publicly announced and the prize presented. 

The Netherlands has been awarding the Human Rights Defenders Tulip since 2008. The prize is intended as a tribute to a man or woman who has shown exceptional courage defending and promoting the rights of their fellow citizens. The Minister of Foreign Affairs normally presents the prize on 10 December, International Human Rights Day. The winners of the Tulip so far have been Justine Masika Bihamba from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2008), Shadi Sadr from Iran (2009), and Bertha Oliva de Nativí from Honduras (2010).