“The Laureates’ trailblazing work for accountability, democracy and the regeneration of degraded land gives tremendous hope and deserves the world’s highest attention. At a time of alarming environmental decline and failing political leadership, they show the way forward into a very different future.”
Thelma Aldana (Guatemala) & Iván Velásquez (Colombia) received this year’s Honorary Award “for their innovative work in exposing abuse of power and prosecuting corruption, thus rebuilding people’s trust in public institutions”.
Thelma Aldana commented:
“Guatemala was organised to enrich powerful actors, and that is what we have begun to defeat. Today it is known in Guatemala that, no matter who you are, justice can operate under the rule of law, as a key factor to strengthen the emerging democracy.”
Iván Velásquez said:
“Corruption is a crime against humanity and human dignity. The fight against it is the fight for a dignified life for all people and especially those who are marginalised.”
The three cash awards go to the following Laureates:
Saudi human rights defenders Abdullah al-Hamid, Waleed Abu al-Khair & Mohammad Fahad al-Qahtani received the Award “for their visionary and courageous efforts, guided by universal human rights principles, to reform the totalitarian political system in Saudi Arabia.”
The imprisoned Saudi human rights defenders will be represented by family members of al-Qahtani and the Saudi human rights advocate Yahya Assiri. The Right Livelihood Award Foundation and Amnesty International Sweden are calling on Saudi Arabia to not only release the three Laureates, who had acted through peaceful means, but also to stop harassing and killing human rights defenders and activists.
Representing the Laureates, Yahya Assiri said:
”al-Hamid, al-Qahtani and Abu al-Kheer are not only enhancing human rights, but they inspire and encourage many others to follow in their footsteps. If Saudi Arabia is interested in genuine reforms, as the regime is claiming, these courageous reformists should be celebrated as heroes in their home country instead of spending years after years in prison.”
The Burkinese farmer Yacouba Sawadogo, who is known as known as “the man who stopped the desert”, is recognised by the Award jury “for turning barren land into forest and demonstrating how farmers can regenerate their soil with innovative use of indigenous and local knowledge.”
Sawadogo stressed the vital importance of community action, stating:
“Humans are the first ones responsible for the deterioration of environment, the ones wronging nature as we are all witnessing it. Everyone has to work for a better environment.”
Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo, known as the “forest maker”, receives the Award “for demonstrating on a large scale how drylands can be greened at minimal cost, improving the livelihoods of millions of people”.
Rinaudo, pioneer of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration, said:
“Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration is embarrassingly simple and being adopted by millions of the world’s poorest farmers, because they see the benefits: increased food and fodder production and increased income generation. One of the greatest benefits is unseen – the restoration of hope.”
The three cash awards are worth SEK 1 Million (EUR 96,000) each and will be used to support the Laureates’ successful work. The prize money is not for personal use.
The 39th Right Livelihood Award Presentation will take place today at 19.30-20.10 (CET) in the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, home to the world’s only preserved 17th century ship and the most visited museum in Scandinavia. The entire presentation, which involves a wide range of performances, will be live-streamed on rightlivelihoodaward.org. Members of the media interested in receiving a live broadcast are encouraged to contact the Right Livelihood Award Foundation. The celebration will continue throughout the evening with a dinner and acceptance speeches.
The Right Livelihood Award Foundation joins Amnesty International (Sweden) to appeal on Saudi Arabia to release three jailed human rights defenders Abdullah al-Hamid, Mohammad Fahad al-Qahtani and Waleed Abu al-Khair, who share this year’s Right Livelihood Award.
We call upon Saudi Arabia to not only release the three Laureates, who had acted through peaceful means, but also to stop harassing and killing human rights defenders and activists.
2018 Right Livelihood Award Laureates Abdullah Al-Hamid, Waleed Abu Al-Khair and Mohammad Fahad Al-Qahtani. Photo Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0/Ahmed al-Osaimi (Blurred from Original)
Ole von Uexkull, Executive Director of the Foundation, said: “Abdullah al-Hamid, Mohammad Fahad al-Qahtani, and Waleed Abu al-Khair are three of the most prominent Saudi civil and human rights defenders. Through peaceful methods, they have called for the separation of powers and equality for all, including the abolishment of male guardianship which deprives women of their most basic rights. We demand their immediate release and that the Saudi regime stops harassing and killing those who are fighting for a more democratic society.”
As a consequence of their courageous struggle for a more pluralistic and democratic society, the three men have been imprisoned and are all currently in jail. In 2013, al-Hamid and al-Qahtani were sentenced to 11 and 10 years’ imprisonment on charges including “inciting disorder by calling for demonstrations” and “forming an unlicensed organisation”. Abu al-Khair was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment in 2014 for charges including “disobeying the ruler” and “harming the reputation of the state by communicating with international organisations”.
Al-Hamid, al-Qahtani and Abu al-Khair received the 2018 Right Livelihood Award “for their visionary and courageous efforts, guided by universal human rights principles, to reform the totalitarian political system in Saudi Arabia.”
The Right Livelihood Award Presentation will be held in Stockholm on Friday, 23 November, followed by a week-long celebration programme in Sweden, Germany and Switzerland. The imprisoned Saudi Laureates will be represented by family members of al-Qahtani and the Saudi human rights advocate Yahya Assiri.
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