EU awards, honours for Sudanese human rights defenders and women’s band

On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the Delegation of the European Union to Sudan awarded a number of Sudanese human rights defenders for “their courageous struggle in strengthening human rights”. The EU hosted a reception, concert and award ceremony at its gardens in Khartoum on Tuesday. The audience was entertained by the famous Sudanese women’s band El Balabil. At the end of the concert, the El Balabil singers were honoured by the EU Ambassador for their contribution to the development of Sudanese art and the role of women in music in Sudan. During the reception, five human rights defenders were awarded the “Heroes for Human Rights Award 2013”. Dr Amin Mekki Medani, a prominent Sudanese lawyer and activist was awarded for his local and international efforts in promoting human rights, Dr Faisal Mohamed Saleh, a journalist and columnist, for his role in promoting press freedom and training of many journalists, and Prof Faroug Ibrahim for his work in defending activists for more than 20 years in Sudan. The EU also rewarded Jalila Khamis Koko, a teacher and political activist, for her role in advocating for women rights in the Nuba Mountains and all over Sudan. The Faculty of Law of the University of Khartoum was rewarded for its role in teaching human rights and “graduating thousands of lawyers and judges who contributed positively to the rule of law in Sudan”. Ambassador Tomas Ulicny at the celebrations reiterated the EU’s commitment to the values and principles spelled out in the Universal Declaration for Human Rights and recalled in the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, “which constitutes the basis of the European society.” The ambassador added that the EU has supported 79 organisations working on human rights in Sudan since 2005. News photo: El Balabil rewarded for promoting cultural diversity in Sudan (EU)