Delegation of the European Union to Sudan Human Rights Award Page Introduction To increase awareness about human rights and to strengthen respect for the role of human rights activists, the Delegation of the European Union to Sudan organizes an annual concert and awards ceremony. Since 1997, this important event takes place on the occasion of the international day for human rights (10th December) and over the years evolved to be a traditional institution of human rights awareness in Sudan. The day is celebrated by renewing the European Union commitment to support human rights globally and promoting the projects implemented by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) to strengthen the situation of human rights in Sudan. At the occasion, the Delegation of the European Union invites hundreds of local activists and organizations to the event along with international and foreign diplomats accredited to Sudan. The event includes a speech by the European Union's Head of Delegation on human rights, followed by a concert and the honouring of human rights activists or organizations for their role in promoting and strengthening human rights. The Award To promote human rights in Sudan, the Delegation of the European Union celebrates the International Day for Human Rights at an annual reception, concert and award ceremony. The award includes a silver medal and a certificate signed and stamped by the Delegation of the European Union to Sudan. The goal of the award is to thank human rights defenders for their achievements and to encourage others to continue the path of spreading and defending universal human rights. The awards are given to an institution, a journalist and three other Sudanese defenders of human rights. The names are selected by an internal committee at the Delegation chaired by the His Excellency the Ambassador, Head of Delegation. Winners of Champions of Human Rights Ahfad University for Women Winner (2014) Ahfad University for Women is a private women's university founded in 1966 in Sudan. The school's mission is to provide quality education for women to strengthen their roles in national and rural development and to seek equity for themselves and other women in all facets of Sudanese society. The AUW vision is to create proactive female change agents and leaders from all parts of Sudan who can participate actively in the development of their families and communities. The University has graduated 100,000 female doctors, teachers, projects managers, community advocates, gender experts and leaders of Sudan. The award was received by Professor Dr. Gassim Badri, the grandson of the founder of the University and current President. NO to Women Oppression Initiative (Winner 2014) A group of 30 women leaders and civil society organizations decided to get together and found a network to promote and strengthen women rights. The group divided their activities among the states of Sudan and addressed many different issues, sharing their experience and resources. Above all, the network defended many women facing oppression because of their sex, religion, ethnicity or political orientation. The group serves as an ideal example of a group working together to achieve the common goal of protecting women’s rights in Sudan. Human Rights Unit - Department of Law University of Khartoum (Winner 2013) The unit was established during the 1990s and since then has been doing tremendous work in human rights education in Sudan through their Human Rights Post Graduate Diploma and other short courses, research projects, workshops, and teaching materials produced on human rights. Dr. Farroug Ibrahim Human Rights Professor (Winner 2013) A Prominent university professor. He has been working for more than 40 years in various legal domains to support freedoms and human rights victims. After 15 years of exile, he is now leading the Sudanese Association for Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms. Dr. Amin Mekki Medani Human Rights Activist (Winner 2013) A prominent human rights lawyer and defender. He is a Sudanese expert in international human rights, policy analysis and development cooperation. He has thirty-five years of relevant experience at the academic, judicial, governmental, non-governmental, regional and international levels including working experience in the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Bank. He also worked with UN OHCHR in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Croatia and finally in Lebanon as Regional Representative for the League Arab States. Ms Jalila Koko Nuba Mountains Activist (Winner 2013) A Sudanese teacher and defender of women’s rights from the Nuba Mountains. She has proven to be a brave human rights defender. Mr. Faisal Mohammed Saleh Journalist (Winner 2013) Salih is an experienced journalist and columnist for various Sudanese publications. He is also director of programs at Teeba Press, a non-government organisation that trains journalists in Sudan. He was the former editor-in-chief of Al-Adwaa daily and a columnist for several other publications. Al Balabil Sudanese Women Band (Winner 2013) Hadyia, Amal and Hayat are three sisters who grew up in an artistic family. In the 1970s they decided to create the first female band in a male dominated profession and quickly became the top Sudanese female group and the most successful band in the country’s history. Today, they continue to amuse and entertain millions of fans around the world and support the needy through their Balabil Foundation. The Concert Since 1997, the Delegation of the European Union has hosted an annual concert to increase awareness about the International Day for Human Rights. The concert is attended by youth, activists, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), politicans, government officials, journalists, diplomats and representatives of International Organizations. At the concerts, many prominent Sudanese singers and performers entertain the guests and provide the best of diverse Sudanese regional music as well as international music. Here is a selection of Sudanese artists who performed at the event: Abdel Gadir Salim Abdel Gadir Salim is a Sudanese singer from South Kordofan. He emerged onto the Sudanese music scene in 1971. Abdel Gadir enriched Sudanese music culture with more than 40 songs, promoting the diverse and rich culture of Sudan. He obtained his MA and PhD in the folk music of the Kordofan province. In the 2014 EU Human Rights Concert, Abdel Gadir Salem participated alongside his musical band and fourteen traditional dancers to showcase the diversity and warmth of folk music from Kordofan and Darfur. KICS Band Khartoum International Community School (KICS) is one of the most prominent schools in Sudan. The school created a band of 30 boys and girls who play local and international classical music. The band has performed atprominent events inside Sudan and abroad. The band performed at the EU Human Rights Concert to celebrate the International Human Rights Day. AL BALABIL Hadyia, Amal and Hayat are three sisters who grew up in an artistic family. In the 1970s they decided to create the first female band in a male dominated profession and quickly became the top Sudanese female group and the most successful band in the country’s history. Today, they continue to amuse millions of fans around the world and support the needy through their Balabil Foundation SUDAN DANCE TROUPE A group of talented and professional Sudanese boys and girls came together and created a dancing group, performing traditional music and dance from all corners of Sudan. From the Blue Nile, to Darfur, to Kordofan, to Beja, to Northern Sudan—they are truly known throughout Sudan. Their coloured costumes reflect the richness and diversity of Sudan. Who should be awarded next? The Delegation of the European Union to Sudan weclomes your nominations for potential future champions of human rights. Please send a letter of nomination and cirrculum vitae of the nominee to the following email: [email protected] The nomination process begins every May. Contact Us: For more contacts and Information on European Union projects regarding human rights or to nominate the candidates for the "Champions of Human Rights Award" please contact: Delegation of the European Union to Sudan Address: Block 1B, Plot 10, Al Gamhoria Street, Khartoum, Sudan Telephone: + 249 183 799393 Fax: + 249 183 799391 Email: [email protected] Website: www.delsdn.ec.europa.eu Read More: Speech of Ambassador Tomas Ulicny Head of Delegation on the occasion of the International Day for Human Rights 2014 Speech of Ambassador Tomas Ulicny Head of Delegation on the occasion of the International Day for Human Rights 2013 Speech of Ambassador Tomas Ulicny Head of Delegation on the occasion of the International Day for Human Rights 2012 .