Each year, Diakonia and the Church of Sweden organize the National Award for the Defense of Human Rights that looks to make visible the challenges faced by human rights defenders in Colombia. Continue reading Recognition and Support for Human Rights Defenders
Category Archives: Human Rights Prize
Gathering knowledge, protecting life: the Peoples’ Intercultural University
The situation in Colombia is cause for real concern. During the first half of 2019 Colombian civil society and the international community have once again witnessed the persistence of armed conflict Continue reading Gathering knowledge, protecting life: the Peoples’ Intercultural University
“I have been fighting for human rights for 20 years and I don’t feel tired yet”: María Ligia Chaverra
Maria Ligia Chaverra reminds me of a famous French saying from when I was young: petit mais costaud, meaning great things come in small packages. She is a small woman with great strength Continue reading “I have been fighting for human rights for 20 years and I don’t feel tired yet”: María Ligia Chaverra
Defending the collective
The first time I met German Graciano, or Mello as everyone calls him, I remember his shyness, but above all the strength of his commitment to the principles of the Peace Community and his charisma during his work as the Community’s leader. Continue reading Defending the collective
Enrique Chimonja, human rights defender who loves his land
Enrique Chimonja Coy (Kike) is a finalist for the National Human Rights Prize, Diakonia 2017 for his valuable work in peacebuilding and supporting grass-roots organisations, particularly during the year 2016. His work is concentrated in restorative and reparative memory exercises which hope to support reconciliation processes in the territories where he works. Continue reading Enrique Chimonja, human rights defender who loves his land