(TibetanReview.net, Jun04’24) —A government-funded, non-profit US democracy organization said Jun 3 that a Canada-based Tibet group and an India-based individual will be among six honourees at its Jun 13 awards event.
In a statement, Washington-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED) said it will pay tribute to its courageous partners from Sudan, Tibet, and Ukraine at its 2024 Democracy Awards event.
NED said its 2024 Democracy Awards will recognize its partners who have defended the rights of vulnerable children, sought accountability for human rights abuses, and empowered young leaders.
Among its 2024 Democracy Award honourees will be Tibet Action Institute, for documenting the Chinese Communist Party’s attempts to erase Tibetan children’s identity.
The other two are Regional Centre for Human Rights, for ground-breaking work seeking accountability for forcibly abducted Ukrainian children; and Waey Organization, for empowering young Sudanese leaders to advance peace and democracy amidst violent conflict.
Among its 2024 Democracy Service Medal honourees will Sikyong Penpa Tsering, Sikyong (President) of the Central Tibetan Administration, for his leadership defending democracy and human rights on behalf of all Tibetans.
The other two are Vladimir Kara-Murza, imprisoned Russian opposition leader, for his support for truth and democracy in Russia and his courage to continue to speak out against Russia’s war in Ukraine even from behind bars; and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Leader of Free Belarus, for her unparalleled leadership and personal sacrifice to defend democracy over authoritarianism.
The evening event will be held at the US Chamber of Commerce. Guests will include democracy advocates and supporters from around the world, representatives from Congress and the administration, and members of the media.
“The partners and leaders that NED will honour this year represent the unwavering spirit of democracy, even in the toughest of circumstances,” NED President and CEO Damon Wilson has said. “Our awardees have made a significant impact on a global scale to hold power to account, and they inspire us all to continue the fight for freedom and human rights.”
The Democracy Award is given annually by NED’s Board of Directors to recognize the courageous and creative work of individuals and organizations advancing the cause of human rights and democracy around the world.
NED is an independent, nonprofit, grant-making foundation dedicated to the development and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. With an annual appropriation from Congress, NED funds more than 2,000 grants in over 100 countries, the group said on its ned.org website.