Today, Front Line the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders will be joined by actor and campaigner Mr Martin Sheen and former Taoiseach ( Prime Minister) of Ireland, Mr Bertie Ahern TD, at a special lunch held at the United Nations in New York. The event is to celebrate the awarding of the 2008 Front Line Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk to Anwar al-Bunni of Syria.

Further Information

Posted 13/06/2008 Mr al-Bunni was selected to receive the Front Line Award by a jury of members of the Irish and European Parliaments from a short list of five nominees from China, Brazil, Honduras and Indonesia as well as Syria.

The event is designed to pay tribute to the outstanding courage of one human rights defender who has made huge sacrifices to protect the human rights of others.

It also marked the first major event of the Friends of Front Line USA which was established in January. It is the first affiliate of Front Line established outside of Ireland to raise awareness of and funds for Front Line’s unique and great work.

This year the Front Line Award celebrates the courage of one such brave human rights defender, Anwar al-Bunni who has worked for human rights in Syria for more than 20 years. Anwar al-Bunni is currently serving a five year prison sentence in a prison where he has been regularly ill-treated .

“The Front Line Award is about courage. The courage of human rights defenders who find within themselves the strength to challenge injustice, to confront those who use their power to oppress others, and to speak out for those who have no voice” said Brian Jacobs, Chairman of Friends of Front Line USA.

“We pay tribute to the courage of Anwar al-Bunni, but we also pay tribute to the courage of all the nominees for the 2008 Front Line Award, from Honduras, Brazil, Indonesia and China and we re-dedicate ourselves to continue working for their protection” said Jacobs.

The Front Line Award lunch is one of a series of events being organised by Front Line to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Key note speakers at the event will include Former Prime Minister of Ireland, Mr Bertie Ahern TD and actor and campaigner Martin Sheen. Their presence is an endorsement of the legitimate work carried out by human rights defenders.

“While Ireland is fortunate in being at peace for the first time in many generations . It angers me that in this year of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, that some corners of the world remain hidden from the light of the universal principles expressed so eloquently in that document. This is why I recognise the vital role played by human rights defenders and why I am proud to be here today both to support the work of Front Line and to recognise the courage and commitment of Anwar al-Bunni” said Mr Ahern

In presenting the Award to Mr al-Bunni Mr Sheen said “Those who are prepared to stand up and challenge injustice are few in number but rich in passion and commitment – they are either on the move or on the run and they have the power to change the world” said Mr. Sheen

Participants at the lunch will also hear from Founder and Director of Front Line Mary Lawlor on how the organisation works to make its vision of a world in which all human rights defenders can work without fear of arrest or intimidation a reality.

“This is why we seize this opportunity to speak to you about some of the people whose stories never make it onto the front page of the newspapers or the web sites of the international media” said Ms.Lawlor Ends

NB To ensure access to the UN building to cover the Front Line Award please send your contact details to jimloughran@frontlinedfenders.org. You will also need to present photo ID on the day.

Please see pdf's attached to read the full text of the speech by Mary Lawlor, Director of Front Line and Former Taoiseach of Ireland Mr Bertie Ahern TD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT : Dublin NAME Jim Loughran title Head of Communications telephone number: 00 353 1 212 37 50 mobile: 087 93 77 586 e-mail jimloughran@frontlinedefenders.org