News item | 08-12-2022 | 5:24 pm
The Human Rights Tulip 2022 has been awarded to Human Rights Center Viasna from Belarus (Belarus). Minister Hoekstra of Foreign Affairs presented the prize during a ceremony in the Peace Palace.
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Minister Hoekstra: “The work of human rights defenders protects our right to live and be free. With their essential work, they actually bring about change, for people and for society.”
Human Rights Center Viasna is a Belarusian human rights organization that does valuable work documenting cases of political prisoners. The organization was founded in 1996 during mass protests by the democratic opposition in Belarus. Viasna’s main goal is to build a just and free society. In practice, this means advising the Belarusian population on legal matters, uncovering and documenting abuses, and providing assistance to victims of political repression.
Minister Hoekstra: “I have great admiration for the courage and dedication of the people of Viasna. Viasna ensures that the truth comes out, no matter how hard the authorities in Belarus try to hide the truth. Despite all the risks that come with it.”
In 2003 the organization was declared illegal by the Belarusian authorities. In 2021, Viasna’s offices were raided and prominent members arrested. Several members remain in prison to date. Others have fled Belarus.
The other two nominees for the Human Rights Tulip were Leng Ouch, who has been campaigning for environmental rights in Cambodia for 22 years by investigating abuses and exposing corruption, and Thai Lawyers for Human Rightsan organization that provides pro-bono legal aid to people arrested for defending their civil and political rights.
The Human Rights Tulip is awarded annually by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to human rights defenders or human rights organizations to support them in the important work they do. The winner receives a bronze statue in the shape of a tulip and a cash prize of € 100,000 to continue and expand their human rights work.