THREE MEN and one woman, all of whom are “under constant threat of assassination”, have been shortlisted as candidates for the 2009 Front Line Award.
The award, which recognises human-rights defenders across the world, is made by the Irish-based organisation Front Line Defenders.
The nominees were not present yesterday, but their stories were introduced by Irish politicians.
The candidacy of Dr Yuri Giovanni Melini, an environmental campaigner in Guatemala, was introduced by Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa. He told how the campaigner survived an attempt on his life last September in which he was shot seven times.
“Yuri Melini has led the campaign against the contamination of water sources and occupation of land in nature reserves. The attack against Yuri Melini is linked to his courageous campaigning to protect the environment and uphold the rights of indigenous people.”
Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter told Yaena Solaemae’s story. From Thailand, she campaigns to have the military personnel behind the deaths of seven protesters in 2004 in Tak Bai brought to justice.
“Despite the climate of impunity. . . harassment and intimidation, Yaena Solaemae has continued in her struggle,” said Mr Shatter.
In Colombia, Danilo Rueda is national co-ordinator of Justicia y Paz, which works to expose human rights abuses. His candidacy was introduced by Green TD Ciarán Cuffe, who said that to work in human rights at all in Colombia is to put one’s life in danger.
Mr Rueda has worked through the establishment of the Red de alternativas a la Impunidad (Network of Alternatives to Impunity).
Labour TD Ruairí Quinn outlined the work of Kenyan Samuel Mohochi, executive director of the Independent Medico Legal Unit (Imlu). It provides medical and psychological care to victims of torture. “Under Samuel Mohochi’s leadership, Imlu has documented the most egregious human rights violations in Kenya in recent times,” said Mr Quinn.
Mary Lawlor, founder of Front Line, said the aim of the awards was not only to recognise the work of human rights defenders, “but also when we give these people some international recognition and credibility, it gives them some added security”.
The winner of the award will be announced at Dublin City Hall on May 8th.
