Honduran priest Padre Melo wins Rafto human rights prize
- 9 years ago
Norway’s prestigious Rafto Prize for human rights has been awarded to the Honduran priest and radio activist Padre Melo for his defence of freedom of expression in one of the world’s most violent countries.
Organisers said the 57-year-old was a “fearless spokesperson who works tirelessly to investigate and communicate the reasons for the violence and abuse committed against vulnerable groups in society”.
The Rafto Foundation describes itself as a non-profit and non-partisan organisation dedicated to the global promotion of human rights.
It says it “aims to promote the three fundamental human rights of intellectual, political and economic freedom”.
Previous winners of the annual award such as Iranian human rights activist Shirin Ebadi and Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi have gone on to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Organisers said the 57-year-old was a “fearless spokesperson who works tirelessly to investigate and communicate the reasons for the violence and abuse committed against vulnerable groups in society”.
The Rafto Foundation describes itself as a non-profit and non-partisan organisation dedicated to the global promotion of human rights.
It says it “aims to promote the three fundamental human rights of intellectual, political and economic freedom”.
Previous winners of the annual award such as Iranian human rights activist Shirin Ebadi and Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi have gone on to win the Nobel Peace Prize.