Madrid, Nov 12, 2011 (SPS) - The Department of Justice of the Basque Government granted Thursday this year edition of René Cassin award on human rights to the Saharawi activist and President of CODESA, Ms. Aminatou Haidar, for her struggle for the defense of human rights in Western Sahara.
The arbitral tribunal pointed out that the defense of human rights in the occupied territories is even more complicated and risky for the Saharawi women, which along with their essential role to develop the traditional life, they are subjected to serious violations of human rights.
It indicated that this award is being given as a recognition and appreciation to those individuals and bodies who work to protect human rights in their whereabouts.
It said “the Saharawi activist, Aminatou Haidar, represents the Sahrawi people's struggle for the defend of human rights in the occupied territories of Western Sahara, which is an extremely difficult and risk task due to the Moroccan tight security measures against civil rights, identified by international human rights organizations, including the right of expression, assembly and association.”
It should be recalled that Aminatou Haidar has been awarded Civil Courage Prize 2009, the 2008 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award, the 2007 Silver Rose Award (Austria) and the 2006 Juan Maria Bandres Human Rights Award (Spain). In addition, she was nominated by the European Parliament for the Andrei Sakarov Human Rights Award, for the Ginetta Sagan Fund Award by Amnesty International (USA Branch) and for the Nobel Peace Prize. (SPS)
090/089/TRA