To inspire the world with his extraordinary courage in defending freedom and universal human rights, 25 international NGOs Human Rights was awarded the Venezuelan and political prisoner leader of consciousness, Leopoldo Lopez, the Award for Courage 2016 (Geneva Summit Courage Award 2016 ) during the opening of the Geneva Summit of the United Nations.
Press release
Julieta Lopez, aunt Leopoldo Lopez, received the award on behalf of the political leader, accompanied by Antonieta Ledezma, daughter of jailed Metropolitan Mayor, Antonio Ledezma, who was also recognized. Both Venezuelan political leaders were the promoters of departure, a popular street movement in pursuit of peaceful and constitutional change of regime Nicolas Maduro, as a solution to the deep crisis facing Venezuela.
Lopez was selected for "inspire the world with his extraordinary courage in defending freedom and universal human rights," said Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, co-organizer of the conference together with Liberal International, Human Rights Foundation, and more than 20 other human rights groups.
It will be recalled Leopoldo López, was sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison on false charges. On February 18 it was fulfilled two years since being arrested arbitrarily, according ruled DDDHH Council of the UN, and kept behind bars in harsh conditions. Throughout the week recalling the peaceful, democratic and constitutional nature of the struggle led by Leopoldo Lopez and asking for their freedom, along with that of a hundred political prisoners activities took place. The Nobel Peace Prize, Lech Walesa and Oscar Arias, with Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Nobel Prize for Peace, Desmond Tutu, visited Caracas to request the release of López insistently.
Lopez's wife, Lilian Tintori, said "Leopoldo is honored to be selected to receive this prestigious recognition from 25 human rights groups that meet at the United Nations in Geneva and receive it on behalf of all political prisoners of Venezuela, who are currently detained illegally and under very difficult conditions. "
"I hope this brings to light the systematic persecution of those who have bravely defied the regime and defend freedom through democracy and put pressure on Maduro to put an end to persecution of political opponents and to release all political prisoners , "he added Tintori.
To diplomats, hundreds of human rights activists and journalists from around the world present at the eighth Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, Julieta Lopez said, "since my nephew was wrongfully imprisoned have felt deep indignation that I transformed into activism human rights and freedom of Venezuela. "
At the Geneva Summit pass presentations of renowned activists, former political prisoners and victims of North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela and many other places with human rights problems.
The aim of the event is to place key issues on the global agenda days before Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations and many diplomats and officials meet on the other side of the street to the opening of the Tenth Anniversary Rights Council UN human.
Last year, the Geneva Summit Courage Award was awarded to Raif Badawi, imprisoned blogger from Saudi Arabia, and in 2013 was awarded the blind Chinese lawyer Chen Guangcheng.
julieta lopez received the award