Newsletter November 2017

Jay OwenTV Series

The Laureates of this year’s Right Livelihood Award, widely referred to as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’, were announced on September 26 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Ole von Uexkull, Executive Director of the Right Livelihood Award Foundation, said:

“This year’s Laureates protect the rights and lives of citizens across three continents. With their courageous work for human rights, public health and good governance, they tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges at their very core. At a time of alarming setbacks for democracy, their successes show us the way forward towards a just, peaceful and sustainable world for all.”

Honorary Award

  • Robert Bilott (USA) “for exposing a decades-long history of chemical pollution, winning long-sought justice for the victims, and setting a precedent for effective regulation of hazardous substances.”

Cash Award, sharing SEK 3 million (EUR 315,000)

  • Colin Gonsalves (India) “for his tireless and innovative use of public interest litigation over three decades to secure fundamental human rights for India’s most marginalised and vulnerable citizens.”
  • Khadija Ismayilova (Azerbaijan) “for her courage and tenacity in exposing corruption at the highest levels of government through outstanding investigative journalism in the name of transparency and accountability.”
  • Yetnebersh Nigussie (Ethiopia) “for her inspiring work promoting the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities.”

 

44 Right Livelihood Award Laureates: Dismiss the Case Against Thailand’s Sulak Sivaraksa

Right Livelihood Award Laureate Sulak Sivaraksa, aged 84, faces up to 15 years in jail after being officially charged with lèse-majesté relating to a speech in which he referenced the role of 16th century King Naresuan at the Battle of Nong Sarai in 1593. 44 fellow Laureates from 32 different countries are today together with representatives of the Right Livelihood Award Foundation demanding the case be dismissed in an open letter to Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. Sivaraksa was awarded the Right Livelihood Award in 1995 for his “vision activism and spiritual commitment in the quest for a development process that is rooted in democracy justice and cultural integrity”.

“To be a decent human being, one must be able to speak the truth, especially to those in power,” said Sulak Sivaraksa.

 

Journalism is Not a Crime

“We need our freedom!” On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, we honour Khadija Ismayilova, Cumhuriyet and all brave journalists around the globe who through their daily work are fighting to uphold Freedom of Expression and a Free Press. This song, performed by Kristin Amparo at the Vasa Museum during last year’s Award Presentation, is for you. Journalism is not a crime.

Instead of celebrating Khadija Ismayilova’s important contributions to justice in her home country, the Azeri government has responded to her reports with smear campaigns and fabricated criminal charges. She is currently under a travel ban and has been denied permission to travel to Stockholm to receive her well deserved Right Livelihood Award on 1 December.

A year has passed since 17 Cumhuriyet journalists were arrested. If found guilty, they face the prospect of up to 43 years imprisonment. Four of them: Murat Subuncu, Akin Atalay, Ahmet Sik, and Emre Iper are still in detention at Silivri Maximum Security Prison.