Traditional award ceremony for outstanding achievements in the field of human rights took place on 10 December. Winners in three categories, “Human rights defender of 2012”, “Lawyer of 2012” and “Journalist of 2012” were selected by representatives of human rights organisation and journalists.

The jury, which determined the winners of the awards, included representatives of nine human rights organizations in Belarus and five last year winners. According to the head of “Human Rights Alliance” Liudmila Hraznova, the tradition of awarding the best defenders, journalists and lawyers will continue into next year.

The title of Human right defender of the year was awarded to Liubou Kavaliova, the mother of sentenced to death for the case of metro bombing Uladzislau Kavaliou. Hary Pahanyaila, the member of Belarusian Helsinki Committee presented the award to Liubou Kavaliova.  She did not receive her son’s body, neither she knows where he is buried. Psychological pressure on her goes on, but she does not give up, and thanks to her and others, Hary Pahanyaila hopes, someday the problem of abolition of the death penalty will be solved in Belarus.

In her response, Liubou Kavaliova, thanked for journalists and lawyers for assistance: “I am not a lawyer, and it would be very difficult to solve some legal problems by myself.Therefore, without their help, I could not do much and I hope that they will not leave me without the help in the future. “ Liubou Kavaliova also said that it is still very hard for her, but she sees her duty as a citizen to help others in dealing with the death penalty.

Journalist of the year award was presented to the journalist of «Gazeta Wyborcza» Andrzej Poczobut, who is now under prosecution and is contained under recognizance not to leave. Andrzej Poczobut several times found himself in jail, but that did not stop his work: after release from prison, he continues to do everything very professionally and selflessly. He was able to attend the award ceremony virtually via Skype conference call. The journalist thanked for the award and noted that like other Belarusian journalists, he would like to write only good news from Belarus, but now one often has to report different complicated things, not very pleasant for those who want to see Belarus democratic, developed country.

Tamara Sidorenka, a former lawyer of Uladzimir Niakliayeu, who was subsequently denied her licence because of her civic stand presented “Lawyer of 2012” award to Alina Shostak and Alvina Dryho.Sidarenka noted that both of the nominees for the award are professional lawyers, and even in present conditions, despite the risk of losing the profession, they are protecting activists of the democratic movement and do it very efficiently.

Before completing the ceremony deputy chairman of Human Rights Centre “Viasna” Valiantsin Stefanovich read to the audience the greeting with Human Rights Day, which was sent from prison inmate of Babruysk colony, the head of the HRC “Viasna” Ales Bialiatski: “I would like to sincerely congratulate all my colleagues and friends that I know and don’t know with the International Day of Human Rights.On this day, like never before we must feel community of our thoughts, aspirations and efforts. We are all one family. And the noble goals enshrined in the Declaration 64 years ago, continue to be a guiding light for us, wherever and in what conditions we might live.”

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A year ago, “Human rights defender of the year” award was presented to Ales Bialiatski, “Lawyer of the year” award was given to Maryna Kavaleuskaya and Daryia Lipkina, “Journalist of the year” – to Yulia Darashkevich and Uladzislau Hrydzin.

The competition was founded in 2008 by “Human Rights Alliance”, which is headed by Liudmila Hraznova.

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