'Great honour': Belarus, Iran, US, Nicaragua activists win 'alternate' Nobel prize of 2020

A Belarusian pro-democracy activist, an imprisoned Iranian human rights lawyer, a US civil rights attorney, and a Nicaraguan activist have won 2020 Right Livelihood Award, widely kwn as “Alternative bel Prize”. top Swedish award has been houring courous changemakers since 1980, aimed at boosting urgent and long-term social change.

Imprisoned Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh was awarded for “her fearless activism, at great personal risk, to promote political freedoms and human rights in Iran.” According to Swedish foundation, Sotoudeh has been vocating for rule of law and rights of political prisoners, opposition activists, women and children “in face of Iran’s repressive regime.” She is currently serving a long prison sentence but remains a defiant vocate for rule of law, foundation ded.

Civil rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson won Right Livelihood Award “for his inspiring endeavour to reform US criminal justice system and vance racial reconciliation in face of historic trauma.” foundation said that Stevenson has dedicated his life to pursuit of racial equality and challenging historical legacy of institutional racism in United States.

“It’s a great hour to receive an award with this kind of prestige. It’s very affirming and very encouraging, and it comes at a moment when re’s a lot of uncertainty, a lot of anxiety about our efforts to achieve justice in America,” Stevenson was quoted as saying by Swedish foundation.

Re: Belarus: bel Laureate Svetlana Alexievich Leaves For Germany Amid Protests

Re: Trump Says bel Peace Prize Possible For 'stopping Mass Killings' Between Serbia, Kosovo

'United in ir fight'

Indigeus rights and environmental activist Lottie Cunningham Wren of Nicaragua won award “for her ceaseless dedication to protection of indigeus lands and communities from exploitation and plunder.” She has been instrumental in ensuring legal protections, including initiating process of demarcation and titling of indigeus lands in Nicaragua, according to foundation.

fourth joint winner of prestigious award was human rights activist Ales Bialiatski and n-governmental organisation Human Rights Centre “Viasna” “for ir resolute struggle for realisation of democracy and human rights in Belarus.” Sotoudeh is first Iranian Right Livelihood Laureate, while Bialiatski and Viasna are also first Belarusian recipients of Award.

“This year’s Laureates are united in ir fight for equality, democracy, justice and freedom,” said Ole von Uexkull, Executive Director of Right Livelihood Foundation, in a statement.

Re: Trump’s mination For bel Peace Prize ‘hard-earned’, Says White House

Re: bel Laureate Svetlana Alexievich Deunces Belarus 'terror', Urges People To Unite