Sudanese refugee awarded human rights prize in Geneva
Abdul Aziz Muhamat has been trapped in the Australian offshore immigration system since October 2013, along with hundreds of other refugees and asylum seekers.
Martin Ennals Foundation
Abdul Aziz Muhamat, a Sudanese refugee activist who has been trapped on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea for five years, has been awarded the 2019 Martin Ennals prizeExternal link in Geneva for his courage and commitment to refugee rights.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/jdp
Español
es
Refugiado sudanés recibe el “Nobel de los Derechos Humanos”
This is the first time the winner of the award has been a victim of violations due to practices of a “Western” democracy. It is also the first time the award goes to someone focused on refugee issues.
“This award sheds light on the very cruel refugee policy of the Australian Government. It also brings international attention to the dangers and ill-treatment faced by refugees all over the world, including in countries that claim they uphold the Refugee Convention”, he declared.
After fleeing the war in Darfur, Muhamet was forcibly transferred to the island of Manus, as part of Australia’s “offshore” refugee policy in October 2013. More than five years on, the 26-year-old is still stranded on the island with hundreds of refugees and asylum seekers, and subject to deprivation, harassment, humiliation and violence.
“This young man was only 20 when he first arrived on Manus island. Since then, he never stopped raising his voice for those who have been stripped of their most basic rights together with him. He showed extraordinary tenacity and courage, always resisting peacefully even after a police officer shot him in the leg”, explained Dick Oosting, Chair of the Martin Ennals Foundation. “The Australian Government must meet its international obligations and put an end to these inhumane practices.”
He was among three finalists, selected last October by a jury of ten of the world’s leading human rights organizations. The other two are Marino Cordoba Berrio, a leader in the Afro-Colombian community who has been fighting for rights of marginalized groups, and Eren Keskin, a Turkish lawyer who was sentenced to twelve years in prison for supporting the pro-Kurdish newspaper Özgür Gündem.
The Martin Ennals Award is supported by, among others, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the City of Geneva. The award was presented to the laureate by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet on February 13. The winner received CHF30,000.
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
Sylvain Saudan, ‘skier of the impossible’, dies aged 87
This content was published on
The Swiss father of extreme skiing pioneered descents from the Alps to the Himalayas – and became the sport’s first star.
Hayek family buys additional Swatch shares for nearly CHF11 million
This content was published on
Following the acquisition of registered shares worth over CHF20.6 million on Monday, the Hayek family made another purchase on Tuesday.
Suicide capsule to be used in Switzerland this year, says euthanasia organisation
This content was published on
The organisation “The Last Resort” has confirmed that the suicide capsule Sarco is to be used in Switzerland. This should happen this year, it said.
Ukrainian children flown to Switzerland for cancer treatment
This content was published on
The Swiss air rescue service Rega flew two Ukrainian children with cancer to Switzerland from a hospital in Kyiv hit by Russian missiles.
Swiss Solidarity raises over CHF10 million for victims of extreme weather
This content was published on
The money raised will be used to help those affected by the recent storms and flooding in the cantons of Ticino, Graubünden, and Valais.
Swiss giant Roche given green light for lung cancer drug in Canada
This content was published on
According to a recent study, Roche’s Alecensaro reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 76% compared to chemotherapy alone.
Swiss luxury watch market hit hard by China-led slump
This content was published on
Sales of Swiss-made luxury watches are in sharp retreat as nervous consumers reconsider splashing out on expensive timepieces and demand slumps.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss to continue to take in vulnerable refugees
This content was published on
Switzerland will take in 800 vulnerable refugees from conflict zones in 2019, mostly from Syria, the government has said.
This content was published on
After a spike in 2016, asylum applications in Switzerland have been in steady decline. Migrants are seeking now seeking alternative routes.
In Zurich, Syrians mobilise in bid to boost mental health
This content was published on
The men and women gathered in a spartan room are a moving reminder of the vitality and diversity of Syrian society when the country was blooming.
This content was published on
The government’s integration packages for refugees in Switzerland are being used to good effect, but some support measures could be improved.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.