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ARMENIA'S INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO HONOUR RIGHTS ADVOCATES
20-06-2014 12:00:49
The U.S. Embassy, Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, British
Embassy, OSCE Office in Yerevan, Council of Europe Office in Yerevan,
the United Nations Armenia Office and Counterpart International
honoured individuals working to promote human rights, accountable
governance, civic activism, local government reform, community service
and free speech in Armenia at the Universal Rights Awards Ceremony
at the Congress Hotel 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 Artak Zeinalyan and Ara Ghazaryan, lawyers with the "Freedom
Defender" Award. "Artak's and Ara's recognized professionalism and
outstanding personal commitment have helped many Armenian nationals in
exercising their rights to legal assistance and fair trial, including
through applications lodged with the European Court of Human Rights",
said Mr. Pavlyuk.
The British Ambassador to Armenia, Kathy Leach, awarded Lara Aharonian
the "Woman of Courage" award. "The people of the Women's Resource
Center are of exceptional courage, prepared to put themselves on the
front line to defend the rights of the vulnerable. Indeed, courage is,
perhaps, too weak a word - fearless would be better. Lara Aharonian,
together with her colleagues at the Women's Resource Centre and other
partners, has given a voice to women who found themselves threatened,
afraid and voiceless. In all the work the Women's Resource Center does,
their principle is that everyone should be treated with equality and
fairness before the law - we must never turn a blind eye to violence
and discrimination. I am delighted to present this award today to
Lara Aharonian, on behalf of the Women's Resource Center.
The "Civic Activism" Award was given by the country representative
of Counterpart International in Armenia, Carel Hofstra, to the
organizers of the "We are paying 100 Dram" campaign. "This campaign
shows the impact that a grassroots movement can have. With no prior
organization and financial resource concerned citizens rallied around
a common goal and took effective action" said Mr. Hofstra. "Examples
like these bode well for the future of civic activism in Armenia".
"Media Excellence" Award was given to Hetq online of the Investigative
Journalists NGO by Dirk Lorenz, Charge d'Affaires of the EU Delegation
to Armenia. "EU is reiterating on different occasions that free,
diverse and independent media constitutes one of the cornerstones of
a democratic society by facilitating the free flow of information and
ideas, and by ensuring transparency and accountability. Hetq online
is a vivid example of investigative journalism in Armenia, which is
actively involved in reporting on different fields. Throughout its
performance the journalists of Hetq have proved their professionalism
and dedication to media principles", said Mr. Lorenz.
The Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Mr. William Hanlon
presented the "Government Reformer" Award to Davit Tonoyan, First
Deputy Minister of Defence. "Mr. Tonoyan has been an ardent champion
of human rights mainstreaming as well as democratic oversight of
Armenia's armed forces. We appreciate his commitment and efforts to
reform the security sector of Armenia and to promote the universal
values of security, prosperity and democracy that bind us together",
Mr. Hanlon said.
United Nations Resident Coordinator, Bradley Busetto presented the Head
of the Karahunj community Lusine Avetyan with the "Local Government
Reformer" award. "Lusineh's leadership in Karahunj have made the
community a better place to live through a challenge of growth,
reform and change," said the UN Resident Coordinator Mr.
Busetto.
U.S. Ambassador John Heffern presented the "Community Service" Award
to Laura Movsisian, Director of Pediatric Rehabilitiation Center
in Yerevan. "Dr. Movsisian has made outstanding efforts to provide
rehabilitation services to children with disabilities. She sets the
example of a leader who serves her community and demonstrates how
people can volunteer and help other people," said Ambassador Heffern.
News from Armenia and Diaspora - Noyan Tapan - See more at:
http://www.nt.am/en/news/195947/#sthash.cZgjhAhw.dpuf
20-06-2014 12:00:49
The U.S. Embassy, Delegation of the European Union to Armenia, British
Embassy, OSCE Office in Yerevan, Council of Europe Office in Yerevan,
the United Nations Armenia Office and Counterpart International
honoured individuals working to promote human rights, accountable
governance, civic activism, local government reform, community service
and free speech in Armenia at the Universal Rights Awards Ceremony
at the Congress Hotel 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 Artak Zeinalyan and Ara Ghazaryan, lawyers with the "Freedom
Defender" Award. "Artak's and Ara's recognized professionalism and
outstanding personal commitment have helped many Armenian nationals in
exercising their rights to legal assistance and fair trial, including
through applications lodged with the European Court of Human Rights",
said Mr. Pavlyuk.
The British Ambassador to Armenia, Kathy Leach, awarded Lara Aharonian
the "Woman of Courage" award. "The people of the Women's Resource
Center are of exceptional courage, prepared to put themselves on the
front line to defend the rights of the vulnerable. Indeed, courage is,
perhaps, too weak a word - fearless would be better. Lara Aharonian,
together with her colleagues at the Women's Resource Centre and other
partners, has given a voice to women who found themselves threatened,
afraid and voiceless. In all the work the Women's Resource Center does,
their principle is that everyone should be treated with equality and
fairness before the law - we must never turn a blind eye to violence
and discrimination. I am delighted to present this award today to
Lara Aharonian, on behalf of the Women's Resource Center.
The "Civic Activism" Award was given by the country representative
of Counterpart International in Armenia, Carel Hofstra, to the
organizers of the "We are paying 100 Dram" campaign. "This campaign
shows the impact that a grassroots movement can have. With no prior
organization and financial resource concerned citizens rallied around
a common goal and took effective action" said Mr. Hofstra. "Examples
like these bode well for the future of civic activism in Armenia".
"Media Excellence" Award was given to Hetq online of the Investigative
Journalists NGO by Dirk Lorenz, Charge d'Affaires of the EU Delegation
to Armenia. "EU is reiterating on different occasions that free,
diverse and independent media constitutes one of the cornerstones of
a democratic society by facilitating the free flow of information and
ideas, and by ensuring transparency and accountability. Hetq online
is a vivid example of investigative journalism in Armenia, which is
actively involved in reporting on different fields. Throughout its
performance the journalists of Hetq have proved their professionalism
and dedication to media principles", said Mr. Lorenz.
The Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Mr. William Hanlon
presented the "Government Reformer" Award to Davit Tonoyan, First
Deputy Minister of Defence. "Mr. Tonoyan has been an ardent champion
of human rights mainstreaming as well as democratic oversight of
Armenia's armed forces. We appreciate his commitment and efforts to
reform the security sector of Armenia and to promote the universal
values of security, prosperity and democracy that bind us together",
Mr. Hanlon said.
United Nations Resident Coordinator, Bradley Busetto presented the Head
of the Karahunj community Lusine Avetyan with the "Local Government
Reformer" award. "Lusineh's leadership in Karahunj have made the
community a better place to live through a challenge of growth,
reform and change," said the UN Resident Coordinator Mr.
Busetto.
U.S. Ambassador John Heffern presented the "Community Service" Award
to Laura Movsisian, Director of Pediatric Rehabilitiation Center
in Yerevan. "Dr. Movsisian has made outstanding efforts to provide
rehabilitation services to children with disabilities. She sets the
example of a leader who serves her community and demonstrates how
people can volunteer and help other people," said Ambassador Heffern.
News from Armenia and Diaspora - Noyan Tapan - See more at:
http://www.nt.am/en/news/195947/#sthash.cZgjhAhw.dpuf