The 2020 Martin Ennals Award for human rights defenders is granted to Huda Al-Sarari, Yemen

The Martin Ennals Foundation has granted Huda Al-Sarari, Yemeni lawyer and human rights defender, the 2020 Martin Ennals Award today. Huda was among three women human rights defenders selected as finalists for the Award by a jury of ten of the world’s leading human rights organizations, along with Sizani Ngubane, South Africa, and Norma Librada Ledezma, Mexico.

MARTIN ENNALS AWARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

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Cérémonie Martin Ennals 2020

The 2020 Martin Ennals Award ceremony, co-hosted by the Martin Ennals Foundation and the City of Geneva, was held on Wednesday 19 February, and for the first time in the history of the Award, all three finalists are women.

“Women human rights defenders (WHRDs) are subject to the same risks as every human rights defender, but as women, they also face certain forms of violence and violations due to their gender. WHRDs are often stigmatized and ostracized by community leaders, faith-based groups and even family members”, says the Mayor of the City of Geneva, Sandrine Salerno.

“The Martin Ennals Foundation is particularly proud to honour and support three resilient women human rights defenders this year, our laureate Huda Al-Sarari, as well as our two finalists Sizani Ngubane and Norma Librada Ledezma for their achievements. We hope that the award will shed a light on their achievements, and strengthen protection mechanisms around them”, explains Philippe Currat, President of the Board of the Martin Ennals Foundation.

Yemeni lawyer and human rights defender

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Cérémonie Martin Ennals 2020 - Huda Al-Sarari

Huda Al-Sarari is a Yemeni lawyer and human rights defender who graduated in Sharia and Law from Aden University. She also holds a masters in Women’s Studies and Development from the Women’s Centre at Aden University. Over the last years, Huda investigated, exposed and challenged the enforced disappearances that occurred as a result of secret prisons run by foreign governments in Yemen where thousands of men and boys have suffered from arbitrary detention, torture and extrajudicial killings. She collected evidence on more than 250 cases of the abuse taking place within those prisons and succeeded in convincing international organisations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch to take up the cause.

“Being a human rights defender in Yemen is extremely challenging, and being a woman makes this even more difficult. In a male-dominated society, I have to prove myself maybe ten times more than a man”, explains Huda. Despite the threats, defamation campaigns and sacrifices she and her family endured, Huda continues to stand alongside the families of those who have disappeared.

“Receiving the 2020 Martin Ennals Award for human rights defenders means the world to me. It gives me great strength and emboldens me to continue this fight for justice”, she says. “I believe the Award will be incredibly important in drawing attention to the continual plight of victims of arbitrary detention, abuse and torture in Yemen”, she concludes.

Hans Thoolen, Chair of the Martin Ennals Award Jury, says: “We commend Huda for the work that she conducted, not only against the backdrop of the ongoing Yemeni civil war, but also, in a country where women still struggle to express their political and civil rights. Huda’s legacy is crucial as her thorough investigations and search for accountability will serve to bring justice for human rights violations occurred during the conflict.”

    Finalists of the Martin Ennals Award

    The two finalists of the Martin Ennals Award this year are Sizani Ngubane (South Africa) and Norma Librada Ledezma (Mexico). Sizani is a human rights defender who advocates for land rights for women in rural areas on South Africa. She also supports women to access education, and fights for the end of the traditional practice of Ukuthwala, which is the abduction and forced marriage of young girls and women. Norma is the founder of Justicia para Nuestras Hijas. She has supported over 200 investigations into cases of feminicide, enforced disappearance and human trafficking in Chihuahua, Mexico. Both were praised by the Martin Ennals Jury member organisations for their commitment and tremendous achievements in their respective countries.

    Award Jury

    The Martin Ennals award has gained global recognition and is even referred to by some people as the “Nobel Prize for Human Rights”. The Award Jury comprises ten of the leading organisations promoting human rights, thereby guaranteeing the credibility and independence of the selection procedure for the finalists. The jury consists of the following organisations:

    Martin Ennals Foundation

    Since its creation in 1993, The Martin Ennals Foundation’s mission is to provide support to human rights defenders so they can pursue their causes, through a financial prize, international recognition and learning opportunities for professional and personal growth. The Martin Ennals Award for human rights defender honours individuals who have shown outstanding commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, despite the risks involved. This award aims to shed a light on their situation and their causes.

    Contact

    Laurence Gagnebin

    Service des relations extérieures

    Cheffe de projets

    4, rue de la Croix-Rouge

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    Genève

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    Article modifié le 25.09.2020 à 17:05