Welcome to our blog where we bring you the latest news on human rights champions around the world. In a recent announcement by the Council of Europe, Venezuelan opposition leader and human rights advocate María Corina Machado has been awarded the prestigious Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. This award recognizes exceptional civil society action in defense of human rights, making Machado a deserving recipient for her tireless efforts in advocating for the rights of the Venezuelan people.
As a leading opposition figure in Venezuela, Machado has been instrumental in championing democracy and the rule of law in the country. She co-founded the Venezuelan group Súmate, focusing on election monitoring and citizen’s rights, and has served as a member of Venezuela’s National Assembly. Currently, she is the national coordinator of the political movement Vente Venezuela.
The Václav Havel Human Rights Prize is an annual award presented by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in partnership with the Václav Havel Library and the Charta 77 Foundation. It recognizes outstanding civil society efforts in defense of human rights in Europe and beyond, with a prize of 60,000 euros, a trophy, and a diploma. Machado’s daughter, Ana, accepted the award on her behalf.
In her acceptance speech, Machado expressed her gratitude for being the first Latin American to receive this prestigious award, emphasizing that it is a recognition for the thirty million Venezuelans striving for freedom and democracy. The award ceremony took place during the opening of the Council of Europe’s plenary session, highlighting Machado’s dedication to human rights and democracy.
While this award is a significant achievement for Machado, it also sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by human rights defenders in Venezuela. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, recently called for the immediate release of lawyer Perkins Rocha, who was arrested for assisting opposition candidates during the presidential elections.
As we celebrate champions like María Corina Machado, let us also remember the importance of upholding human rights and supporting those who fight for justice and democracy around the world. Stay tuned for more updates on human rights issues and inspiring stories of change-makers making a difference in their communities.
