In a ceremony held yesterday in Prague, eighteen individuals and organizations were celebrated for their outstanding efforts in the protection and promotion of human rights. The awards, introduced by the government’s Human Rights Commissioner, Klara Simackova Laurencikova, were bestowed upon recipients from diverse backgrounds, reflecting a commitment to fostering a society that actively safeguards and champions human rights.

The awards spanned six categories, and the laureates were chosen by a six-member jury from a pool of nearly 100 nominees. Notable winners include Zdenek Rysavy of the Romea organization, Jitka Polakova, director of the proFem organization, evangelical priest Mikulas Vymetal, Viktor Heumann of the Trans*parent association, and Bohdan Rajcinec, a representative of the Ukrainian minority.

Simackova Laurencikova emphasized that each awardee serves as a beacon, exemplifying the Czech Republic’s awareness of the practical significance of human rights in daily life and actively contributing to their protection and promotion. In her statement, she expressed a hope that the awards would become a cherished tradition.

The awardees were recognized across various categories, with direct support for human rights acknowledged in recipients such as Polakova, Vymetal, and Barbora Antonova, director of the Vesna Women’s Education Institute in Brno. Educational and awareness-raising efforts were applauded, with Rysavy, Karolina Nodesova, founder of the Most Pride festival, Jitka Rudolfova of the Live Your Own Way initiative, and Monika Vlckova Mickova, drawing attention to bullying in sports.

Extraordinary challenges were acknowledged in the endeavors of Rajcinec, students of Prague’s Zatlanka grammar school, and Anna Jelacicova, who provided aid to refugees from Ukraine. Innovations in supporting excluded communities were recognized in Lukas Pulko from the Mongagua organization and Ester Pacltova from the Locals to Locals NGO.

Volunteering efforts were celebrated through Sara Krivankova from the Many Worlds organization, Lenka Vonka Cerna, founder of the Volunteer Center in Usti nad Labem, and Juanita Kansil, who made art accessible to marginalized populations.

Advocacy was honored in Viktor Heumann from Trans*parent, midwife Ivana Konigsmarkova, and Pavel Sopuch, a lawyer representing children of imprisoned parents. The awards, culminating in this acknowledgment ceremony, were the result of online nominations and the diligent work of the jury, which included representatives from the Government Office, Foreign Ministry, Lucie Madlova from the Association for Social Responsibility, and Barbara Havelkova, a lawyer from the University of Oxford.

Article by Prague Forum