Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, 2008
On April 17, 2008 at 3 PM in the Reception Hall, the 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee had conference press announced the winner of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2008. This conference press passed of around 15 minutes. There was a lot of journalist from South Korea.
The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights was established in 2000 to celebrate the spirit of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising by recognizing individuals, groups, and institutions in Korea and abroad that have contributed in promoting and advancing human rights, democracy, and peace in their work. This prize is awarded by the citizens of Gwangju in the spirit of solidarity and gratitude to those who have helped them in their struggle for democratization and their search for truth.
The Winner of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights for this year is Mr. Muneer A. Malik. He is a former leader of the Pakistani Supreme Court Bar Association. He was born in 1950, and became a lawyer in 1975. After becoming appointed as the secretary general for a local lawyers' association in the 1980s, he played a leading role in the popular movements that called for the restoration of democracy, in opposition to the dictatorship of General Zia ul Haq. This resulted in Mr. Malik imprisonment on charges of engaging in anti-government activities in 1981. Mr. Malik worked as a human rights lawyer to improve human rights and restore democracy in Pakistan. In 2007, he took a leading role in fighting against the attempt made by President Musharraf to oust the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, in order to protect human rights and the independence of the judiciary. When the fight continued for the restoration of rights and the independence of the Pakistani judiciary, he did not give in to suppression, assassination attempts and the closedown of his office. His health deteriorated from alleged food poisoning that he was released from prison to become hospitalized. He had to endure all those difficult times in prison and even after his release. He did not give up. As soon as he regained his health and freedom, he has been continuously fighting for the freedom of the media and the independence of the judiciary.
The 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee chose Mr. Muneer Malik because he is fighting against the political and social situation in Pakistan. It is quite similar to Korea's past, when the people had to endure a period of military dictatorship. The fight by Mr. Muneer A. Malik for the restoration of democracy and human rights is the kind of spirit that Korean should remember at all times. The 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Committee would like to send message of encouragement to all the citizens, human rights activists and lawyers in Pakitan, who are fighting all together with Muneer A. Malik.
On May 18, 2008 the award will be conferred to Mr. Muneer A. Malik on a ceremony to commemorate the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising. The prize award includes a good medal, a certificate of achievement and US $ 50,000.00.
The 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Prize Committee:
I. Committee Chairman: Mr. Noh Young Min (Korean National Assembly)
II. Committee Members:
1. Mr. Kim, Chil Jun (Secretary General of the National Human
Rights Commission)
2. Mr. Lee, Gwang-Ho (Director of the Pusan Democratic Movement
Memorial Association)
3. Mr. Moon, Guk-Joo (Executive Director Korea Democracy
Foundation)
4. Mr. Yun, Gwang-Jang (Chairman of the Board of the May 18
Memorial Foundation
For more information please klik here:
No comments:
Post a Comment