Minister for Foreign Affairs Congratulates the International NGO, Human Rights Watch, on Award of the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights

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Minister for Foreign Affairs Congratulates the International NGO, Human Rights Watch, on Award of the United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin, T.D., today extended his congratulations to Human Rights Watch following the announcement that the organisation has been awarded the 2008 United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights.  The prestigious award is bestowed every five years and will be presented at a ceremony in New York on 10 December 2008 to mark the 60^th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Minister Martin praised the work of Human Rights Watch, recognising the contribution that they have made to advancing respect for human rights worldwide. 

“Human Rights Watch has been tireless in its efforts to defend and protect human rights.  Since it was established 30 years ago as Helsinki Watch, Human Rights Watch has brought attention to human rights violations around the world, providing an independent voice for the most marginalised and vulnerable.”

“Furthermore, Human Rights Watch has been to the forefront in campaigning for a comprehensive ban on all cluster munitions.  Ireland was honoured to host the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions last May, which adopted the Convention on Cluster Munitions.  We will sign and ratify the Convention when it is opened for signature in Oslo next week.” 

The Minister also congratulated the other recipients of this year’s UN Prize, including Louise Arbour, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Dr Denis Mukwege, whose dedicated work in helping women and girls who are victims of sexual violence in the DRC region of South Kivu was also recognised.

“In the 60^th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is fitting that we acknowledge the achievements of those individuals and organisations that promote and protect human rights.  The anniversary offers us the opportunity to renew our efforts and Ireland is committed to playing our part in realising the aspirations of the Declaration.”

ENDS++
Press Office

27 November 2008

Note for the Editors

The United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights is an honorary award given to individuals and organizations in recognition of outstanding achievement in human rights.   The Prize was established by a General Assembly resolution in 1966 and was awarded for the first time on 10 December 1968, the twentieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Prize has since been awarded at five yearly intervals since then.  Previous recipients have included Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter, and Amnesty International.

Human Rights Watch is an independent non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights.  Currently celebrating its 30^th anniversary, Human Rights Watch is supported by contributions from private individuals and foundations and accepts no government funds.