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ARMENIA'S INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO HONOUR RIGHTS ADVOCATES
June 13, 2013 | 19:10
YEREVAN. - U.S. Embassy, Delegation of the European Union to Armenia,
British Embassy, OSCE Office in Yerevan, Council of Europe Office in
Yerevan and Counterpart International honoured individuals working to
promote human rights, accountable governance, civic activism and free
speech in Armenia at the Universal Rights Awards Ceremony at the U.S.
Embassy in Yerevan.
Since 2012, the Universal Rights Awards Ceremony was the first
multi-mission initiative to highlight the contributions of Armenia's
civil rights activists, government officials, and media and civil
society representatives to the promotion of human rights. Armenian
government officials, foreign diplomats, NGO representatives, and
the press attended the event.
Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, Oleksandr Pavlyuk
awarded Levon Barseghyan, Director of Asparez Club with the "Freedom
Defender" Award.
"Levon has demonstrated extraordinary courage and remarkable personal
commitment in defending a broad spectrum of rights and in providing
an open platform for the exercise of free speech to virtually anyone
irrespective of their political, national, social or religious views,"
said Mr. Pavlyuk.
The British Ambassador to Armenia, Kathy Leach, awarded Europe in
Law for "Civic Activism." In her speech she said, "The winners of
this year's civic activism award - Europe in Law Association - have
shown that one vital tool for protecting our right to vote is the legal
system itself. It requires a professional and painstaking approach with
a first-class understanding of the law - this group of young lawyers
have shown that they have the determination to make a difference."
"Media Excellence" Award was given by the country representative of
Counterpart International in Armenia, Carel Hofstra, to Civilnet.
"Civilnet has changed and improved the media landscape in Armenia. By
bringing context to news, using all the technological opportunities
that social media offer and by mobilizing young local and diaspora
reporters Civilnet sets a high standard for media outlets in Armenia,"
said Mr. Hofstra.
Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Andrey Sorokin
presented the "Woman of Courage" Award to Naira Arakelyan, Head of
Armavir Development Centre. "Naira has demonstrated tremendous courage
promoting economic, social and political development in her community.
She is truly an inspiration, and I am proud to recognize someone who
embodies the spirit of the commitments on which the OSCE is founded,"
Ambassador Sorokin said.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Traian Hristea, presented the
"Government Reformer" Award to the Alaverdi Mayor, Artavazd Varosyan.
"Local communities are important building blocks of Armenian society
and have the potential to become hubs of positive change. Mr.
Varosyan sets the example of a community leader who promotes
transparent and inclusive local government," said Ambassador Hristea.
News from Armenia - NEWS.am
June 13, 2013 | 19:10
YEREVAN. - U.S. Embassy, Delegation of the European Union to Armenia,
British Embassy, OSCE Office in Yerevan, Council of Europe Office in
Yerevan and Counterpart International honoured individuals working to
promote human rights, accountable governance, civic activism and free
speech in Armenia at the Universal Rights Awards Ceremony at the U.S.
Embassy in Yerevan.
Since 2012, the Universal Rights Awards Ceremony was the first
multi-mission initiative to highlight the contributions of Armenia's
civil rights activists, government officials, and media and civil
society representatives to the promotion of human rights. Armenian
government officials, foreign diplomats, NGO representatives, and
the press attended the event.
Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, Oleksandr Pavlyuk
awarded Levon Barseghyan, Director of Asparez Club with the "Freedom
Defender" Award.
"Levon has demonstrated extraordinary courage and remarkable personal
commitment in defending a broad spectrum of rights and in providing
an open platform for the exercise of free speech to virtually anyone
irrespective of their political, national, social or religious views,"
said Mr. Pavlyuk.
The British Ambassador to Armenia, Kathy Leach, awarded Europe in
Law for "Civic Activism." In her speech she said, "The winners of
this year's civic activism award - Europe in Law Association - have
shown that one vital tool for protecting our right to vote is the legal
system itself. It requires a professional and painstaking approach with
a first-class understanding of the law - this group of young lawyers
have shown that they have the determination to make a difference."
"Media Excellence" Award was given by the country representative of
Counterpart International in Armenia, Carel Hofstra, to Civilnet.
"Civilnet has changed and improved the media landscape in Armenia. By
bringing context to news, using all the technological opportunities
that social media offer and by mobilizing young local and diaspora
reporters Civilnet sets a high standard for media outlets in Armenia,"
said Mr. Hofstra.
Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Ambassador Andrey Sorokin
presented the "Woman of Courage" Award to Naira Arakelyan, Head of
Armavir Development Centre. "Naira has demonstrated tremendous courage
promoting economic, social and political development in her community.
She is truly an inspiration, and I am proud to recognize someone who
embodies the spirit of the commitments on which the OSCE is founded,"
Ambassador Sorokin said.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia Traian Hristea, presented the
"Government Reformer" Award to the Alaverdi Mayor, Artavazd Varosyan.
"Local communities are important building blocks of Armenian society
and have the potential to become hubs of positive change. Mr.
Varosyan sets the example of a community leader who promotes
transparent and inclusive local government," said Ambassador Hristea.
News from Armenia - NEWS.am