The Front Line Defenders Award 2024 in Dublin, Ireland, was given to Pakistani activist Sammi Deen Baloch in recognition of her advocacy for human rights in the South Asian country.
At a special ceremony on Friday in Dublin, Front Line Defenders revealed the five recipients of its highest honor, the 2024 Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk.
“The recognition of my battle on a global scale is an honor for me. Although it is extremely challenging, Baloch told Geo News from Dublin that she would not give up on her battle for human rights in Pakistan.
Established in 2005, the annual Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk was created to recognize the extraordinary efforts of HRDs who bravely contribute to the advancement and defense of others’ human rights, frequently at significant personal risk to themselves.
By drawing attention to the work and challenges of HRDs on a global scale, the Award gives them a broader national and international platform to discuss and advocate for the human rights concerns they are fighting for.
A safe, open nomination process is held at the close of each year, and scores of individuals submit their applications. Laureates are chosen from among them, and the winners are announced on the day of the Award Ceremony in Dublin, which takes place every May.
Baloch was chosen from Asia and the Pacific. He is the General Secretary of the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons (VBMP) and he is from Awaran in Balochistan.
The following four recipients of awards are from Africa: Gamito dos Santos Carlos of AJOPAZ, the Youth Association for Peace (Mozambique); Americas: Jennifer Bexara Córdova represents the trans women collective Muñecas de Arcoíris (Honduras); Europe and Central Asia: Doros Polykarpou of KISA (Cyprus); Middle East and North Africa: Ahmed Alnaouq represents We Are Not Numbers (Gaza, Palestine).
Baloch said she dedicates the prize to Baloch women in a post on X. “I have the highest regard for their unwavering perseverance. Along with human rights advocates everywhere, I also share this prize with those who strive for justice, truth, and human rights.”
She continued, “I will continue to fight for the safe release of all the missing persons including my father.”
Baloch went on to say, “I will not stop demanding justice for the victims and their families, along with my fellow human rights defenders, Baloch women, and the families of missing persons.” I’m going to keep up my nonviolent campaign against forced disappearances and demand the release of everyone who has gone missing.”
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