The International Prize for Human Rights - dedicated to the memory of the twenty-gay Moloudzadeh Makwan, who was hanged in Iran December 5, 2007 and awarded annually by EveryOne Group in accordance with the decision of an international jury - for 2013 is attributed to the President of St. Voice Pauls Centre in Kampala, the author of important measures to protect minority gay

Pictured at Lecturn, Rev. Patrick Leuben Mukajanga

 

BERGAMO - The year 2013 was a very difficult year for activists and humanitarian workers in the world. The economic crisis, the conflicts, the lack of attention of governments and supranational institutions towards the weakest groups in society have generated humanitarian tragedies anywhere. Racism and homophobia have increased exponentially almost everywhere, while the intolerant movements and parties have reached positions of power in many nations. In countries where religious laws affect those civilians are witnessing terrible persecution of minorities affected by prejudice. In the European Union some years you live stagnant atmosphere on the human rights front, and despite the many recommendations and proclamations to protect minority shareholders, the violations of the rights of refugees are becoming more serious and Europe has turned into a 'insensitive fortress on the front of the protection of the Roma the same phenomenon occurs and the European institutions express strategies and programs, only to abandon the Roma and Sinti communities intolerance manifested by governments, media and citizenship; do not see effective programs of anti-racist education or an improvement of laws and culture against homophobia. The jury of EveryOne Group, formed by human rights defenders, has decided to award the 2013 Makwan Ugandan human rights activist Patrick Leuben Mukajanga.Patrick, 37, is the founder of St. Pauls Voice Centre (SPAVOC) in Kampala, which helps LGBT people in social difficulties, often driven home at a young age or who are victims of violence. Patrick is very active in the dissemination of a culture of tolerance and mutual respect in a nation characterized by a strong homophobic, where homosexuality is illegal.Despite intimidation, threats and detentions by the police, Patrick has become a reference point for the gay community in Uganda, and in a difficult climate, organizes its association with gay pride and demonstrations against homophobia, while also promoting the AIDS prevention practices. Patrick Leuben Mukajanga, operating in synergy with other organizations for LGBT rights, including EveryOne Group (of which the activist is a member), has granted international protection and asylum to many refugees fled to the Ugandan homosexuals in the European Union.

The Prize Makwan is a symbolic recognition, awarded each year to a human rights defender who has distinguished himself for his humanitarian work in non-violent defense of life or a political figure able to take a position publicly and specifically tolerant towards minorities, acting as an example of civilization for the whole society.

Since 2007, the Award Makwan - now in its seventh edition - has been assigned to nonviolent activists who have worked in a decisive way to prevent humanitarian tragedies and save lives, often receiving institutional persecution, intimidation, imprisonment, violence and censorship. Here are the names entered so far in the gold: Glenys Robinson, Viktoria Mohácsi, Burnad Fatima Nateson, Nikolay Alexeyev, Hamdy al-Azazy and Active Citizenship in Civitanova Marche. 

 

Nominations 2013

 

Luigi Dalla Via, Mayor of Schio, Italy

Saimir Mile, President of La Voix des Rroms, Paris, France

Patrick Leuben Mukajanga, President of the St. Paul's Voice Centre, Kampala, Uganda

Elena Fiorini, Minister for Law and the Rights of the City of Genoa

Kantilal Parmar, defender of the rights of the Dalits, Gandhinagar, India

Contacts Rom, Facebook Group, France

Alberto Hundred, Mayor of Legnano, Italy