The Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School announces the award to Lenin Raghuvanshi and Irom Sharmila.
Linked by bhupinder. Join Blogbharti facebook group.Lenin Raghuvanshi and the People’s Vigilance Committee On Human Rights, PVCHR) led by him, have put up vehement resistance against the caste system through various social activities, including the supporting of torture victims in 5 northern states.
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On November 2nd, 2000, the Indian military opened fire on its own citizens in the state of Manipur. This was one of the many such incidents following the enactment of the AFSPA. Since the incident in Manipur, Irom Sharmila, a resident of the tragic state, has refused to eat and drink anything in resistance to indiscriminate use of the AFSPA against civilians.
Good morning. Hope you’re in the best of health and spirits. I am currently an intern with the May 18 Memorial Foundation in Gwangju South Korea.
I happened to come upon your entry about the 2007 Gwangju Human Rights Award. Thank you for posting an entry about it. I beleive it is very important for people to be aware of these things as courage and passion such as that shown by Ms. Irom and Dr. Lenin should be given its due recognition. And by making more people aware of it, their voices and the issues that they are fighting for will be made known to a wider section of society.
However, I would just like to clarify something. The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights is an award that is awarded by the May 18 Memorial Foundation in Gwangju, South Korea. The Gwangju Asian Human Rights Folk School is a separate programme that is run by the organization. We do have several blogs about representing the various programmes that we organize. I think perhaps you got the news about the award from our folkschool blog.
I just thought I’d clarify this as perhaps the message wasn’t so clear :)
Thank you. Have a pleasant day. Once again, thank you for making this initiative known.
Warm regards,
thency
Accepting Nominations for the
Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2008
Now, on its 8th year, the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights is now open for nomination. Since its inception, this prestigious award has been given to 9 individuals and a Korean organization. In 2006 and 2007 saw co-winners receiving the award. Among the winners include Xanana Gusmao (Timor Leste), Daw Aung San Suu Kyii (Burma), Wardah Hafidz (Indonesia), Malalai Joya (Afghanistan) and Irom Sharmila (India).
For 2008, the prize at stake is US$ 50,000.00, a gold medal and a certificate. The winner will be invited to grace the 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award Night on 18 May 2008, in Gwangju, Republic of Korea. This yearly award is sponsored by the May 18 Memorial Foundation.
The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights was established to celebrate the spirit of May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising by recognizing both individuals, groups or institutions in Korea and abroad that have contributed in promoting and advancing human rights, democracy and peace in their work. The prize is awarded by the citizens of Gwangju in the spirit of solidarity and gratitude from those whom they have received help in their struggle for democratization. It is hoped that through this award the spirit and message of May 18 will be immortalized in the hearts and mind of humankind.
The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights which is given yearly has the following aims:
1). To enhance the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising by awarding individuals, groups or institutions in Korea and abroad on their contribution to improving human rights and peace throughout the world.
2). To reward individuals, groups and institutions in Korea and/or abroad for promoting the goals of the May 18 Democratic Uprising as a movement toward unification and cooperation.
Deadline for submission of application form is 30 March 2008. Please visit our blogsites for other related information: 518solidarity.blogspot.com and themay18.wordpress.com.