Viasna and PEN Belarus shortlisted for Dutch government Human Rights Tulip award

The Dutch government hopes that the prize will enable the winner to gain international visibility, reach more people, and inspire others. | government.nl

Human Rights Center Viasna and PEN Belarus, Belarusian organizations both operating in exile, are among the top 10 candidates for the Human Rights Tulip award, the award sponsor the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported. In 2022 the award ceremony will take place on 8 December during Human Rights Week.

Viasna has been commended for monitoring the human rights situation in Belarus and raising awareness of democracy and human rights, as well as defending individual rights, particularly the rights of political prisoners. PEN Belarus is an organization that defends the freedom and rights of writers and journalists in Belarus and investigates human rights issues. 

Among other individuals and organizations who have made it to the top 10 list are a network of Ukrainian human rights organizations documenting war crimes Ukraine 5 AM Coalition, Nigerianhuman rights lawyer Adeola Oyinlade, Cambodian human and environmental rights champion Leng Ouch, 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Iraqi human rights defender Nadia Murad and her organization Nadia’s Initiative, Nigerian journalist Philip Obaji Jr., Mexican human rights organization Casa Frida,  LGBTIQ+ coalition of Hungary, and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

An independent jury will select the three top candidates from the 10 on the shortlist. They will be announced in the second week of November.

The Human Rights Tulip is a prize that the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs awards each year to a human rights defender or human rights organization to support their important work. The winner receives a bronze tulip and €100,000. This money and the international visibility the prize creates help the winner continue and expand their human rights efforts.