Jun 17, 2010

Human Rights Defenders: Tulip Nomination of Ms Kadeer and Mr Jemilev



On Monday 14 June 2010, UNPO nominated two human rights defenders for the Dutch Human Rights Defenders Tulip Award; Rebiya Kadeer and Mustafa Jemilev, both of whom have demonstrated outstanding commitment to campaigning for the rights of their people. The Tulip Award is an accolade awarded by the Dutch government, to honor the work done by individuals in this field and to increase awareness of the breaches in human rights taking place across the globe.

 

                      

 

The Hague, 17 June 2010


On Monday 14 June 2010, UNPO nominated two human rights defenders for the Dutch Human Rights Defenders Tulip Award; Rebiya Kadeer and Mustafa Jemilev, both of whom have demonstrated outstanding commitment to campaigning for the rights of their people. The Tulip Award is an accolade awarded by the Dutch government, to honor the work done by individuals in this field and to increase awareness of the breaches in human rights taking place across the globe.

Rebiya Kadeer, is the Uyghur human rights activist from East Turkestan and so-called “Mother of the Uyghurs” by her people, she has suffered repression at the hands of the Chinese government’s policies and been an active campaigner on behalf of her people since her release as a prisoner of conscience in 1995. She now lives in exile in the US, separated from her family which she had to leave behind; her sons in fact are detained in China as a consequence. Ms Kadeer has also been nominated for this award by the Dutch Department of the Turkish Academic Student Association (TASA); their Press Release can be found here.


Mustafa Jemilev is the most prominent Crimean Tatar activist and has been leader of their Parliament since 1991, committing his life to the repatriation, rights restoration and the political involvement of Crimean Tatars in their native homeland, the Crimean Peninsula, in the Ukraine. Famous for going on the longest hunger strike in the history of human rights, he has spent many years imprisoned and recently faced an assassination attempt on his life for his cause to put an end to repression and human rights breaches of his people and others that face similar injustice.

Besides the incredible strength demonstrated by these two individuals in fighting for the causes of their people and the contributions they have made for drawing attention to the conditions of their own people; both have shown outstanding commitment to the provision of universal human rights for all peoples worldwide. Both Ms Kadeer and Mr Jemilev continue to be very active, and need support and attention from the international community to raise awareness of the plight of their peoples. Both are passionately committed to non-violence and peaceful struggle for their people, in line with international standards. UNPO commends Ms Kadeer and Mr Jemilev as exemplary role models in their approach to defending human rights and considers recognition by this prestigious award as critical support for their work and future campaigns on behalf of their peoples.


To view the original UNPO Press Release, click here