Region | Palestinian Territories
Palestinian, Israeli groups receive human rights award
A prestigious Dutch human rights award was presented Friday to two groups from Israel and the Palestinian territories even though the director of the Palestinian organisation was banned from attending the ceremony.
- AP
- Published: 23:03 March 14, 2009
The Hague, Netherlands: A prestigious Dutch human rights award was presented Friday to two groups from Israel and the Palestinian territories even though the director of the Palestinian organisation was banned from attending the ceremony.
The Geuzenpenning medal was presented to Palestinian group Al Haq and Israeli organisation B'Tselem at a ceremony in the southern Dutch city of Vlaardingen.
The foundation that makes the annual award praised both groups for their "independent and critical" monitoring of rights abuses in the occupied territories.
The director of Al Haq, Shawan Jabarin, was not able to attend the presentation because Israel refused to lift a travel ban it imposed on him.
Hans Mathijssen, who helped organise the ceremony, said Jabarin was able to watch live through a computer link with Ramallah.
"So, Mr Jabarin was virtually present at the ceremony," Mathijssen said.
Israel's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday there was evidence Jabarin is involved with terror groups. Jabarin denies the accusation and the organisation that presents the medal condemned the decision.
Geuzen Resistance Foundation spokeswoman Edith Kwakernaak said Tuesday the organisation was "shocked and disappointed" at the court's decision.
Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen also expressed his disappointment after lobbying unsuccessfully for Jabarin to be allowed to travel to the Netherlands.
The prize recognises human rights works and is awarded by a foundation named for a Dutch Second World War resistance movement.
Previous winners include kidnapped Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and watchdog groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
More from Palestinian Territories
More from Region
News Editor's choice
-
Kuwait condemns Houla massacre
Arab League urged to put end to oppression of Syrian people
-
Road crashes main cause of child death in UAE
Death rate among children in car accidents in the UAE is three times higher than global average
-
Last minute ID rush is on
Expatriates in Dubai have thronged typing centres and Emirates ID registration offices to meet the May 31 registration deadline
