Exhibition
Damas de Blanco – 2005, Cuba
Despite constant repression, the Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White), also known as the Damas, stage weekly peaceful protest marches to demand democracy and the release of political dissidents in Cuba.
Hauwa Ibrahim - 2005, Nigeria
Human rights lawyer Hauwa Ibrahim defends women and children sentenced by Sharia courts in Nigeria. She advocates education for girls as the foundation of a peaceful society.
Reporters Without Borders – 2005, headquartered in France
Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières – RSF), an international NGO, fights for freedom of information and freedom of expression, while also supporting persecuted journalists all over the world.
... as though double standards were being applied, as though some lives were worth more than others and as though there were some freedoms that affect us and others that do not. It is imperative that we put a stop to this way of thinking.
Robert Ménard
Aliaksandr Milinkevich - 2006, Belarus
As leader of the democratic opposition Movement for Freedom in Belarus, Aliaksandr Milinkevich denounced the Belarusian regime’s offences against democracy and human rights.
There is a lot you can do! You can help us to break down the barriers to information and the restricted view of the world imposed upon my fellow countrymen by government propaganda, to create a public space conducive to open debate amongst the citizens, bringing together independent authors, intellectuals and moral authorities.
Salih Mahmoud Mohamed Osman – 2007, Sudan
Sudanese lawyer Salih Mahmoud Mohamed Osman defends those who have been arbitrarily detained, tortured and abused by the authorities, despite having been detained himself.
The recognition of the European Commission and of you, the European Parliament, for the work of human rights defenders in Sudan gives us the courage and determination to continue to speak for the victims, and relieve some of their suffering.
Hu Jia - 2008, China
Endangering his life through his activism, Hu Jia has brought the world’s attention to the Tiananmen Square massacre, AIDS issues and human rights abuses in China.
If the truth be told, sometimes one’s courage is not enough. Sometimes the price to be paid is very, very high.
Zeng Jinyan
Memorial - 2009, Russia
Founded to preserve the memory of mass repression under Stalin, Memorial advocates respect for human rights, and protects victims of human rights abuses in Russia and the former Soviet states.
Freedom of thought is the basis of all other freedoms.
Sergei Kovalev