Tactics and tools for the protection
of Human Rights Defenders

Presented by Jon Snow at the House of Commons

Supported by Bryan Sanderson and Galliard Healthcare Communications

Award ceremony: 13th December 2006

The Award Winners

Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of Women

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. Nizaam (Cookie) Edwards

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

The Awards

The International Service Human Rights 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.

These awards do more than give recognition and a little money to support 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.

The winner in each category will receive £3,000 and an expenses-paid trip to London to receive their award. The winners should be prepared to travel to London in December to receive their award and possibly take part in media interviews whilst in the UK.

Nominations for the awards are invited from UK and Irish based international development agencies and human rights organisations. These organisations may enter individuals or organisations (including local partner organisations and international NGOs) working in international development in any country.

International Service wishes to thank Bryan Sanderson and Galliard Healthcare Communications for their kind support of these awards. We would also like to thank Jon Snow and the judges: Haleh Afshar
Mike Blakemore
Marika Freris
Debbie Herald
Sigrid Rausing
Bryan Sanderson
Candy Whittome

The Categories

Women International Service believes that gender inequality represents a huge loss of human potential, with costs for men as well as women. This prize will be given to an individual or organisation that has worked to empower or protect women or promote women’s rights.

Children Children and young people are among the most vulnerable in societies where poverty is often a life sentence affecting their health, mental well-being and educational opportunities. This prize will be given to an individual or organisation that has worked to protect children’s rights through access to healthcare, education or leisure opportunities.

Disabled People International Service defines disability as “the disadvantage or restriction of activity caused by the way society is organised.” We are committed to the belief that a society fit for disabled people is the only society fit for all. This prize will be given to an individual or organisation that has worked to achieve equal opportunities for disabled people.

HIV/Aids International Service believes that everyone has the right to protect themselves from contracting HIV, and that those with HIV have the right to lead a full and active life. By working with organisations dealing with these issues, be they family planning groups, organisations of people living with HIV/Aids or awareness-raising initiatives for teenagers, we can make a huge difference to peoples’ lives. This prize is open to organisations or individuals working to stop the spread of HIV/Aids in any country.

If you have any questions please contact Catherine Michica 01904 647799 or by Email.
Human Rights Awards
International Service
57 Goodramgate
York YO1 7FX

Previous award winners click here for more information