22 November 2008
WOMEN of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) have been awarded the 5th Human Rights Award by the German section of Amnesty International.
The award will be presented at a ceremony in Berlin today and Woza founder, Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu will receive the award on behalf of the organisation.
The Bulawayo Magistrates' Court granted Williams and Mahlangu, who were released on bail from Mlondolozi Prison on Thursday November 6, permission to travel to Germany.
Williams and Mahlangu appeared in court on Monday November 11 for a routine remand hearing where they requested permission to travel to Germany.
Magistrate Charity Maphosa however ruled that the application be made in open court.
After several delays, the state decided not to oppose the travel application and reporting conditions were temporarily suspended until November 26.
Amnesty International in Germany gives the Human Rights Award every two years to people that defend and fight for human rights, especially under harsh circumstances.
In the past, the prize was given to Turkish Advocate Eren Keskin (2001), and human rights defenders Swetlana Gannuschkina from Russia (2003) and Monira Rahman from Bangladesh (2005).
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has won this year's Rights and Democracy's John Humphrey Freedom Award for its commitment to standing up for victims of human rights abuses.
ZLHR director Irene Petras and fellow lawyer, Andrew Makoni, will receive the award in Ottawa, Canada, on December 10 during commemorations of the International Human Rights Day.
Announcing the winners recently, the interim chairman of Rights and Democracy (the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development) board of directors, Jacques Gauthier said an international jury unanimously chose ZLHR from a field of 100 candidates.
"Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights provides a vital democratic lifeline for those who would otherwise have no recourse against state-sponsored abuses and persecution," Gauthier said.
"Its determined, non-violent struggle against impunity and repression reminds us that, in the end, tyranny is no match for human dignity and the rule of law."
The Rights and Democracy organisation set up the annual John Humphrey Freedom Award to honour an organisation or individual for their "exceptional" commitment to the promotion of international human rights and democratic development.
The Canadian Embassy in Harare nominated ZLHR for the award. The group of lawyers provides legal support for victims of state-sponsored violence and human rights training for activists and civil society organisations.
More than 1 500 Zimbabweans reportedly receive support from ZLHR every year.
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