UN Watch to honor Simon Deng with 2011 Freedom Award

UN Watch will honor a Human Rights Activist, Mr. Simon Deng with the 2011 Freedom Award. He was nominated by the board of UN Watch in recognition of his singular contribution to defending the principles of human rights. In overcoming great adversity in his personal life struggle, he has set an example and inspired men and women worldwide.  The prize is also intended to shine an international spotlight on the plight of the people of Southern Sudan during this sensitive period.  As part of the award, UN Watch would help to promote this issue during 2011.

Previous recipients of UN Watch human rights awards include Dr. Massouda Jalal, the first woman in Afghanistan to run for presidential office; Esther Mujawayo, the heroic activist for victims of the genocide in Rwanda; and Nazanin Afshin-Jam, the founder and president of Stop Child Executions.

The award would be presented in Geneva on April 5, 2011, at UN Watch’s annual gala dinner. It will take place this year as part of international conference on “Lawfare and the UN: The Misuse of Human Rights and International Law.”

Mr. Deng would be invited to deliver brief acceptance remarks.