Afghan human rights campaigner awarded peace prize
Dr Sima Samar is expected to be presented with the prize at a ceremony in Tipperary later this year and said at the weekend it will be a “great honour and privilege” to receive the international peace award.
“I am strongly committed to upholding the values attached to the Tipperary International Peace Award and in having them observed throughout my life,” Dr Samar said.
She is currently chairwoman of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and is the United Nations’ rapporteur on human rights in Sudan. After over a decade in exile, she returned to Afghanistan in 2002 to become a member of Hamid Karzai’s transitional administration. As part of the interim government, Dr Samar served as deputy president and later as minister for women’s affairs before being forced to resign after death threats followed an interview in which she questioned conservative Islamic law.
Previous winners of the award include Bill Clinton, Bob Geldof, Nelson Mandela and Mikhail Gorbachev. Last year former US ambassador to Ireland Jean Kennedy Smith travelled to Tipperary to receive the award on her own behalf and that of her late brother, Senator Edward Kennedy.
In a statement, Dr Samar said her award is recognition of her “sincere and strong belief” in women’s participation in efforts towards building peace and fulfilling human rights.
“I have observed failures of various good-intended efforts for peace, due to the absence and active involvement of women.
“This prestigious award will, therefore, effectively inspire Afghan women to enhance their commitment towards peace-building and towards the elimination of injustice and discrimination.”
