THE FIRST Human Rights Prize of the Embassy of France in Ireland was awarded to Amnesty International Ireland executive director Colm O’Gorman in Dublin yesterday afternoon.
The presentation, “in recognition of his outstanding personal efforts and active involvement in the field of human rights”, was made by ambassador Emmanuelle d’Achon at the embassy on Ailesbury Road.
Each year France’s human rights prize is awarded by the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights. Created in 1988 and conferred on December 10th every year (UN Human Rights Day), it honours effective protection and promotion of human rights.
The French ministry of foreign affairs has encouraged every French embassy to also be a “house of human rights” whose mission includes welcoming, listening to and protecting those who defend human rights.
“Considering Ireland’s outstanding contribution and France’s long-standing commitment to the cause of human rights, it made sense to us to create an award to acknowledge the fundamental role played by Irish civil society organisations and NGOs,” Ms d’Achon said. She continued: “For the French embassy in Ireland, Colm O’Gorman – author, founder of One in Four, and executive director of Amnesty International Ireland – stood out as the obvious first recipient of this prize.
He has played a vital role in raising awareness of sensitive issues and in developing support and resources for victims of abuse.
“His work has always been driven by a strong commitment to the promotion of social justice and a belief in the power of advocacy and activism.
“His efforts to promote human rights, in particular those of the most vulnerable, are testimony to his courage and dedication.”
