Contact: Jane Riley Jacobsen, jane@ned.org +1 (202) 378-9604
WASHINGTON, DC –The World Movement for Democracy will honor three exceptional groups of human rights and democracy activists with the presentation of Democracy Courage Tributes at the closing dinner of the Ninth Global Assembly in Dakar, Senegal on May 9, 2018.
The honorees are:
- Advocates for Rule of Law in Africa, accepted by Thulisile Madonsela;
- Human Rights Lawyers in China, accepted Jin Bianling; and
- Nightwatchers: Photojournalists in the Philippines, accepted by Raffy Lerma and Ezra Acayan.
The Democracy Courage Tributes are a highlight of each Global Assembly and are given at the John B. Hurford Memorial Dinner, which is sponsored by the Hurford Foundation. The Tributes give special recognition to the extraordinary efforts of groups and movements working under particularly difficult circumstances.
The World Movement will recognize Advocates for the Rule of Law in Africa for holding government leaders accountable and protecting the integrity of democracy in South Africa, Kenya, and Liberia. Thulisile Madonsela, the former Public Protector of South Africa (2009-2016), who played an important role in triggering the corruption investigation against former President Jacob Zuma, will accept the Tribute.
In memory of Li Baiguang, one of hundreds of courageous human rights lawyers who have faced persecution for defending human rights in China since the 2015 “709” crackdown, the World Movement will honor Human Rights Lawyers in China. Jin Bianling, wife of Jiang Tianyong, a political prisoner abducted and detained for his defense of religious minorities and other vulnerable communities, will accept the Tribute.
The World Movement will also honor the Nightwatchers: Photojournalists in the Philippines, who have documented hundreds of victims of extra-judicial killings in the Philippines. Raffy Lerma and Ezra Acayan, two Nightwatchers who have dedicated their careers to capturing these images since President Duterte’s war on drugs began in 2016, will accept this Tribute.
DATE: Wednesday, May 9, 2018
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Dakar, Senegal. Details to be provided upon accreditation.
This event is on-the-record and open to press. To request accreditation or for additional details, please email yelenav@ned.org. Location and further timing details will be provided upon confirmation of accreditation.
