Wanted: human rights defenders

9 April 2010. Nominations are now being accepted for the Human Rights Defenders Tulip 2010. This human rights prize is presented by the Dutch government to a man or woman who has shown exceptional courage in protecting and promoting the rights of fellow citizens. The award ceremony will take place on 10 December, International Human Rights Day, in the Ridderzaal (Knights’ Hall) in The Hague.

In the words of Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Verhagen, ‘The Tulip is a tribute to people who want to change the world and dare to take a stand in defence of other people’s rights, sometimes in very difficult conditions.’ The Minister will be presenting the Tulip this year for the third time. Justine Masika Bihamba of the Democratic Republic of the Congo received the prize in 2008, and Shadi Sadr of Iran in 2009.

Anyone can put forward a candidate for the Tulip. A jury will decide on a shortlist of three, and the Minister will select the winner. The winner receives the bronze statuette of the Human Rights Defenders Tulip and a cash award of €10,000. In addition, he or she may submit a project proposal for up to €100,000 in support of his or her work as a human rights defender.

Human rights defenders from all over the world may be nominated. They should be individuals (not organisations) whose daily work involves the peaceful protection or promotion of human rights. They should also be in need of support in the face of the risks that their activities expose them to, and stand to benefit from the recognition and visibility entailed in winning the prize.

For further information, contact the secretariat of Human Rights Defenders Tulip through Chris Collier, by email at secretariat@mensenrechtentulp.nl or by phone at +31 (0)6 3493 6026. See also www.mensenrechtentulp.nl.