Rights & Democracy is honoured to present Rwandan human rights activist Godeliève Mukasarasi with the 2004 John Humphrey Freedom Award.

A survivor of the 1994 genocide, Ms. Mukasarasi has gone on to make an invaluable contribution to the promotion of human rights and democratic development in Rwanda as the founder of SEVOTA , a support group for the widows and orphans of the April 19, 1994, massacre of Tutsi in the town of Taba, and as a social worker with the Women's Network for Rural Development.

 

Through her courage, her enthusiasm and her unwavering commitment, she has succeeded in gaining the trust of victims of rape and sexual violence, particularly women who contracted HIV-AIDS, as well as in breaking the silence and in helping these women obtain justice,” said Kathleen Mahoney, Chairperson of Rights & Democracy's Board of Directors.

Rights & Democracy presents the John Humphrey Freedom Award each year to an organization or individual from any country or region of the world, including Canada, for exceptional achievement in the promotion of human rights and democratic development. It is named in honour of John Peters Humphrey, the Canadian human rights law professor who prepared the first draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Award consists of a grant of $25,000 as well as a speaking tour of Canadian cities to help increase awareness of the recipient's human rights work.      


John Humphrey Freedom Award laureate to visit five Canadian cities

 

Itinerary of Ms. Mukasarasi's visit to Canada, Nov. 29 to Dec.10, 2004 :

 Halifax:

Monday, November 29, 2004, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at Dalhousie Law School, Weldon Law Building, Room 105, 6061 University Ave,

Moncton:

Tuesday, November 30, 2004, 12:30 pm to 14:00 pm at Salon du Chancelier (Room 227), Taillon Building, Université de Moncton, 165, avenue Massey (in French only)

Hampton :

Tuesday, Nov. 30, 7:30 pm at The Hampton Community Theatre, Hampton High School

Toronto:

Wednesday, December 1, 2004 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, 78 Queen's Park, Flavelle House, Classroom A (FLA) -

Thursday, December 2, 2004 from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Room 1130, Bahen Building, University of Toronto, 40 St. George Street, Toronto

Montreal:

Monday, December 6, 2004, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Écomusée du Fier Monde, 2050 Amherst (corner of Amherst and Ontario), Montreal Metro Berri-UQÀM (in French only) -

Ottawa:

Dec. 9 (By invitation)

 

http://nuit.rwandaise.free.fr