Blog
Published on April 27, 2010
2007 Human Rights Award Dinner Monday, October 15: Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, New York City
Dinner Host: Meredith Vieira
2007 Award Honoree: Fariba Davoodi Mohajer
Distinguished Guests: General Joseph P. Hoar, USMC (ret.), Major General Fred E. Haynes, USMC (ret.), and other senior retired military leaders. Special Guest and Presenters: Sam Waterston, Sigourney Weaver
Speaking Out for Iranian Women
2007 Human Rights First Award Honoree
Fariba Davoodi Mohajer believes that her rights as a woman, mother, human rights activist, and Iranian citizen are indivisible. She has dedicated her life to challenging laws that discriminate against Iranian women, including the lack of legal recourse for victims of violence against women. As a founder of the One Million Signatures Campaign for women’s rights, Fariba has been a leading voice in this struggle. As a result of her activism, she has been detained and beaten, and her family has been threatened. Despite this persecution, she continues to devote herself to the cause of human rights in Iran.
Speaking Out for the Rule of Law
Several of the leaders, April 2007
In the aftermath of Abu Ghraib, Human Rights First began to work with more than forty retired generals and admirals who were deeply concerned about U.S. policies that sanction torture and dishonor the values that American servicemembers fight to protect. These retired officers are working with us to bring detainee treatment back into line with the Geneva Conventions and ensure that torture is never again a part of U.S. policy. We will recognize the leadership of these extraordinary men and women whose commitment to human rights is grounded in the principles on which this country was founded.
Speaking Out for Iraqi Refugees
More than 2 million Iraqi refugees have fled to other countries from persecution and violence in Iraq. Another 2 million are displaced within Iraq. Some have fled religious or ethnic persecution. Others have been targeted because of their work for the U.S. government or the media. Iraqis who have served as translators for U.S. forces, for example, have been attacked and threatened. Human Rights First’s Lifeline for Iraqi Refugees project is working to secure a comprehensive response to the Iraqi refugee crisis. The United States has a tradition of giving refuge to the persecuted and assistance to the victims of war. Yet we have failed to open our doors to Iraqi refugees. We ask the United States to bring some of the most vulnerable refugees to safety through a major resettlement initiative and to lead the international community in providing aid for refugees and those displaced within Iraq. Human Rights First is speaking out for Iraqi refugees. The stability of the region, the moral credibility of the United States and the protection of human rights are all at risk.
Speaking Out for Excellence in Television
Human Rights First created this award to honor a TV program that self-consciously uses the medium to raise awareness about a human rights problem. We are giving the award to a TV show that depicts torture and interrogation in a nuanced, realistic fashion. Too often on TV torture is presented as effective and even patriotic. On programs like 24 and Sleeper Cell, torture is routinely employed by heroes and the problems associated with this practice are rarely explored. A handful of shows have resisted this formulaic depiction. They offer their viewers – and notably, young people considering a career in the armed services – a more complete view of what can happen in the interrogation booth at a time when these issues are being hotly debated in the United States and overseas. In giving this award, we recognize the awesome power of TV to not only entertain, but also to educate and inspire. MORE»
2007 Human Rights Award Dinner Committee
Dinner Chairs Andi and Tom A. Bernstein Diane S. and Kenneth R. Feinberg Gail Furman Deborah Miller and William D. Zabel
Dinner Committee Dr. Rosalind and Mr. Adam Abram Elsie V. and M. Bernard Aidinoff Robert and Helen Bernstein William S. Bernstein David Boies John K. Castle James Chanos Kenneth I. Chenault Lynda M. Clarizio Deborah and Craig Cogut Jennifer L. Colyer Brigadier General Jim Cullen (ret.) Daniel Doctoroff Donald Francis Donovan and Jennifer Lake Matthew and Ginger Dontzin Peter Edelman Edward P. Evans Leslie Gimbel and Marc Kusnetz Myrna and Steve Greenberg Peter and Helen Haje Virginia and Robert Joffe Helene and Mark Kaplan Ned and Marcia Kaplin Kerry Kennedy The Mark and Anla Cheng Kingdon Foundation Orin S. Kramer Dr. Mathilde Krim Jo Backer Laird and Michael Danoff Robert Todd Lang Stephen S. Lash Kit and Geraldine Laybourne Ted and Lynn Leonsis
Noel and Harriette Levine Leon Levy Foundation Ogden Lewis Jesse Margolin Robert B. Menschel George A. Miller and Janet McKinley Robert and Adriana Mnuchin Charlotte Moss and Barry Friedberg Beth and Joshua Nash Robert M. Pennoyer Lizanne and Barry Rosenstein Nathaniel de Rothschild Valerie and Michael Rozen Andrew Sabin Steven H. Schulman Rena Shulsky and Dr. Sami David Richard Shutran John S. Siffert Riva and Alan B. Slifka Harold Snyder and Tamar Hirschl Snyder Mary Ann, Gideon, Noah, Dorothy and Zoey Stein Judy and Michael Steinhardt Rose Styron Jay and Kelly Sugarman Jeffrey S. Trachtman George and Trish Vradenburg Lynn Witkowski James W. Ziglar
