Shadi Sadr receives Human Rights Defenders Tulip award

Shadi Sadr

Shadi Sadr, Iranian lawyer and women’s rights activist, is the recipient of the Human Rights Defenders Tulip award this year. The winner was chosen by the Dutch foreign ministry out of 116 nominees from 63 different countries.

Human rights activities and the political situation of the nominee’s country of residence are amongst the criteria for selecting the winner. It is also taken into consideration that receiving the award does not threaten the life and work of the recipient.

Last year Justine Masika, Congolese human rights activist became the first recipient of the Tulip award that was established by the Dutch government to acknowledge the efforts of those who “showed exceptional moral courage in defending and promoting the rights of [their] fellow citizens.”

On October 20, Dutch foreign minister Maxim Verhagen announced Shadi Sadr the winner of the 2009 Tulip award for her “courageous” struggles in defending citizens’ rights. The awarding ceremony will take place on November 9 in the Hague.

In addition to the Bronze Statuette, the winner will receive a prize of €10,000. The winner can also propose a project to the value of €100,000 aimed at advancing their work as a human rights activist.

The award committee has cited Shadi Sadr’s legal activities, publication of critical articles in various websites, as well as activities in the RAAHI organization and the campaign to stop stoning as reasons for selecting her as this year’s winner.

Shadi Sadr, along with two other human rights activists, Roya and Ladan Boroumand, also received this year’s Lech Walesa award.