Guyanese Journalist among Human Rights awardees

One of Guyana’s veteran Journalists, Denis Chabrol was among six persons to receive awards from the European Ambassador (EU) to Guyana, Jernej Vedetic on Thursday evening, for their role in improving human rights in Guyana and neighbouring Suriname.

Chabrol is the only individual to be awarded while the other five persons represented various organizations which would have changed the human rights landscape through their work in Guyana and Suriname.

Human Rights Day will be observed on December 10, 2017. During a musical concert and reception ceremony hosted at the EU Ambassador’s residence, the Diplomat noted that the violation of a person’s rights is most times precursor to conflicts.

“Respect and upholding human rights is also an enabler for investing in quality of standards, in building new and fairer civic relations through the rule of law in all areas that matter for our well being…All the aspects of human rights are the building blocks of a free and democratic society which in the end ensure a decent standard of living for everyone,” the Ambassador told the gathering.

Presenting the first awards of its kind in Guyana, the Ambassador noted that everyone can contribute to protecting human rights as it is not something which can wait until social or economic development has advanced. He also urged that the event is an annual occurrence.

The organizations awarded were Childlink, Red Thread, Mahila Mandalee, and Murundoi Incorporated for their role in promoting the rights of women, children, young adults and vulnerable populations in Guyana.

Projecta was awarded for their work in neighbouring Suriname.

Human Rights Day is observed every year on December 10 – the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year’s theme is “stand up for human rights.”