PCHR granted Bruno Kreisky Prize for Outstanding Achievements in the Area of Human Rights
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Press Release
PCHR granted Bruno Kreisky Prize for Outstanding Achievements in the Area of Human Rights
Ref: 113/2002
Date: 25 September 2002
PCHR has been granted the Bruno Kreisky Prize for Outstanding Achievements in the Area of Human Rights for 2002. It is one of the most prestigious awards granted by international organizations in the area of human rights. Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR, is due to travel to the Austrian capital, Vienna, to receive the award in a special ceremony on 27 September 2002.
It is not the first time that PCHR has been granted an international award. In 1996 PCHR and its Director, Raji Sourani, were granted the Human Rights Prize awarded by the Republic of France known as “Freedom, Equality and Brotherhood”. In 1991 Raji Sourani was appointed joint laureate of the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial for Human Rights Award.
The international and independent jury of the Bruno Kreisky Prize for Outstanding Achievements in the Area of Human Rights unanimously decided to grant the award for 2002 jointly to PCHR and well-known Israeli journalist Amira Hass. Amira, a writer with the Israeli newspaper, Ha’aretz, has consistently defended human rights and is particularly specialised in writing and reporting on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. PCHR has enjoyed a close personal and professional relationship with Amira for many years and the organisation is particularly honoured to have been awarded this prize jointly with her.
The Bruno Kreisky Foundation holds the name of the late Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky. Institutions and persons granted the award are selected by an international and independent jury. Amnesty International and the former South African President Nelson Mandela are previous winners. The Bruno Kreisky Foundation has granted two human rights awards for 2002. The second award has been granted to the former Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Dr. Franz Konig, and Mrs. Ute Bock for their efforts in the area of human rights.
PCHR greatly appreciates this award from the Bruno Kreisky Foundation and will use this opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to the defence of human rights and to providing its services, including free legal aid, for victims of human rights violations This award not only supports PCHR’s efforts in defending human rights, it also highlights the development of the human rights movement and the ongoing efforts of human rights defenders in Palestine.
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See photos from the award ceremony here