The Netherlands to honour human rights defenders

9 September 2008 | Foreign minister Maxime Verhagen has created the Human Rights Defenders Tulip, an award which will be presented annually to an individual who has shown exceptional moral courage in protecting and promoting the rights of his or her fellow citizens.

‘The award will honour people who fight a difficult battle, often at great personal risk, and will lift them out of anonymity,’ said Mr Verhagen. The Human Rights Defenders Tulip has been created to highlight the prominence of human rights in Dutch foreign policy. It will be presented for the first time on 10 December this year, at a ceremony in the Ridderzaal (‘Knights’ Hall’) in The Hague.

In 1998 the United Nations declared that everyone has the right to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms. In spite of this, human rights defenders often have to face what can be life-threatening danger. This award will honour those who nevertheless have the courage to take a stand.

According to Mr Verhagen, while the Netherlands can help human rights defenders to achieve their goals the reverse is also true. ‘It is vital that countries like the Netherlands keep up external pressure. But pressure from within is more effective.’

The award consists of a small sculpture in the form of a tulip, an individual prize of €10,000, and €100,000 towards a project supporting the winner’s work. More than 100 candidates have been nominated via www.humanrightstulip.org .

The jury, consisting of journalist Cisca Dresselhuys (chair), former top manager Antony Burgmans, professor and specialist in children’s rights Jaap Doek, general secretary of the Catholic organisation Justitia et Pax Victor Scheffers and Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp, will nominate three candidates. The Minister of Foreign Affairs will choose the overall winner.