September 15, 2000
September 15, 2000
Contact HRF Communications (212) 845 5245 media@humanrightsfirst.org
YOUR COVERAGE IS INVITED
7:30 PM, Thursday, October 19, 2000Human Rights First Announces
2000 HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD DINNER
Thursday, October 19, 2000 in New York City
to honor three individuals dedicated to labor rights, civil rights, and human rightsWHO: Tom Brokaw, Anchor, NBC News Master of Ceremonies
Kerry Kennedy, Author, Speak Truth to Power Presenter
Sigourney Weaver, Actor PresenterZainab Bangura, Sierra Leonean human rights movement leader Honoree
Han Dongfang, Chinese labor activist and journalist Honoree
Albie Sachs, South African Constitutional Court Justice Honoree
WHAT: Human Rights First will recognize three outstanding human rights advocates on October 19 in New York at its 2000 Human Rights Award Dinner. These advocates have risked their lives to defend the rights of others and are pioneers in using the law and grassroots organizing to force governments to meet their obligations to protect all citizens.
Zainab Bangura is one of the leaders of Sierra Leone’s human rights and pro-democracy movement. She co-founded the Campaign for Good Governance, the only Sierra Leonean rights group with monitors in all parts of the country. Through her grassroots organizing with women, Ms. Bangura is widely credited with ensuring the success of the 1996 presidential election. Because of her work, Ms. Bangura is on the rebels’ hit list and has survived three attempts on her life. Han Dongfang, a former railway electrician, led the only workers’ contingent in the Tiananmen Square protests. He was jailed without trial for 22 months and subsequently exiled to Hong Kong. As chief editor of Chinese and English-language magazines about workers’ rights, and host of an influential weekly program on Radio Free Asia, he continues to battle against brutal labor conditions throughout China and for workers’ right to unionize and bargain collectively. Albert Louis ("Albie") Sachs, currently a Justice on the South African Constitutional Court, has symbolized conscience and courage in his nation’s human rights struggle for 40 years. As a civil rights attorney, international law professor, and member of the African National Congress, Sachs fought against the injustice of apartheid and helped draft South Africa’s post-apartheid Constitution. He was twice jailed without trial, and a near-fatal car bombing cost him an arm. He is the author of numerous books on human rights.
WHEN: Cocktails 6:00 PM / Dinner and Awards Ceremony 7:30 PM / Thursday, October 19, 2000
WHERE: Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, New York City