ISLAMABAD, (TDI): The AGHS Legal Aid Cell has been awarded the prestigious Polish Prize of Sergio Vieira de Mello for its outstanding contributions to human rights, particularly in the protection of underprivileged and vulnerable communities, including women.
The prize, established in 2003, is named after Sergio Vieira de Mello, a Brazilian diplomat and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who dedicated his life to promoting human rights, freedom, and intercultural dialogue.
He was killed in a bombing in Baghdad in 2003 while serving as the UN Special Envoy for Iraq.
The award recognised individuals and organisations that have made significant efforts to advance human rights and peaceful coexistence across societies and cultures.
The announcement was made at a ceremony attended by distinguished guests, including the ambassadors of Brazil and Sweden, Olyntho Vieira and Alex Berg von Linde, as well as Fumiko Igarashi, deputy representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Poland.
AGHS Legal Aid Cell was honoured for its exceptional, free-of-charge legal services to marginalized groups, particularly women.
AGHS Legal Aid Cell
The AGHS Legal Aid Cell, founded by the late human rights icon Asma Jahangir, has empowered countless individuals through legal support, advocacy, and human rights promotion.
It embodies a commitment to justice and equality, with a special focus on the legal needs of the most vulnerable in society.
The Polish Prize of Sergio Vieira de Mello, supported by the Embassies of Brazil and Sweden, and the UNHCR office in Poland, underscores the universal value of AGHS’s work, which continues the legacy of Asma Jahangir and Sergio Vieira de Mello. Their tireless advocacy for human rights remains a beacon for activists worldwide.
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Polish Ambassador to Pakistan, Maciej Pisarski, praised AGHS for its dedication and resilience, especially in a time when democratic values are under threat globally.
“Through their dedication and practical effort, AGHS reminds us every day that something can be done, even against overwhelming odds,” he said.
“Today, Europe and many countries on other continents are again facing an existential threat to their democratic values and institutions. Across the world, open societies go under pressure of new and traditional forms of authoritarianism. We can win this struggle only by staying true to the universal values epitomized by Asma Jahangir and Sergio Vieira de Mello,” he said in his speech.
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The award acknowleges the ongoing struggle for human rights and the need for continued action, inspiring a new generation of activists to uphold the legacy of global human rights champions like Asma Jahangir and Sergio Vieira de Mello.
