518 International Solidarity Program: Accepting Nominations -Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2008

Friday, January 04, 2008

Accepting Nominations -Gwangju Prize for Human Rights 2008

Now, on its 8th year, the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights is now open for nomination. Since its inception, this prestigious award has been given to 9 individuals and a Korean organization. In 2006 and 2007 saw co-winners receiving the award. Among the winners include Xanana Gusmao (Timor Leste), Daw Aung San Suu Kyii (Burma), Wardah Hafidz (Indonesia), Malalai Joya (Afghanistan) and Irom Sharmila (India).

For 2008, the prize at stake is US$ 50,000.00, a gold medal and a certificate. The winner will be invited to grace the 2008 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award Night on 18 May 2008, in Gwangju, Republic of Korea. This yearly award is sponsored by the May 18 Memorial Foundation.

The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights was established to celebrate the spirit of May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising by recognizing both individuals, groups or institutions in Korea and abroad that have contributed in promoting and advancing human rights, democracy and peace in their work. The prize is awarded by the citizens of Gwangju in the spirit of solidarity and gratitude from those whom they have received help in their struggle for democratization. It is hoped that through this award the spirit and message of May 18 will be immortalized in the hearts and mind of humankind.

The Gwangju Prize for Human Rights which is given yearly has the following aims:
1). To enhance the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising by awarding individuals, groups or institutions in Korea and abroad on their contribution to improving human rights and peace throughout the world.
2). To reward individuals, groups and institutions in Korea and/or abroad for promoting the goals of the May 18 Democratic Uprising as a movement toward unification and cooperation.

Deadline for submission of application form is 30 March 2008. Please visit our blogsites for other related information: 518solidarity.blogspot.com and themay18.wordpress.com.

Please download the form from this link:

http://eng.518.org/main.html?TM18MF=B04&bc_table=ENG_NOTICE&form_act=V&bnum=39&page=1

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Irom Sharmila Video

Irom Sharmila is a young woman of Manipur who has been on a fast-to-death for nearly 7 years now. She has been demanding the removal of a brutal law from her land. Manipur is a north-east Indian state (bordering Myanmar), riven for decades by insurgency and armed separatist movements. The Government of India has attempted to control the situation militarily, granting drastic powers to the security forces. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act enforced in the region lets people be arrested, shot and even killed - on suspicion alone. But Sharmila is willing to stake everything -- even her life -- to restore justice and dignity to her people.

http://kavitajoshi.blogspot.com/

Anecdote: Gwangju Prize for Human Rights

The contrast between Gwangju and Manipur experience is indeed striking! At a time when the people of Gwangju was breaking away from the shackles of an oppressive regime in 1980, Manipur was sliding down towards a nightmarish experiences in the shadows of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

By 2000, a certain stability was achieved in Korean democratization process and the spirit of democracy started spreading across Asia through the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. The same year in Manipur, having exhausted all judicial and international remedies available with the UN, Sharmila resorted to indefinite hunger-strike demanding the repeal of the draconian Act. Seven years later in 2007, the Foundation took notice of Sharmila's struggles and awarded her the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights.

From Manipur perspective, in awarding this prestigious prize to Sharmila, the International Community is not only taking notice of the relentless struggle of the people of Manipur for a dignified life but also extending a fraternal solidarity.

- Babloo Loitongbam
Executive Director
Human Rights Alert