Amnesty honours Gaza journalists with Human Rights Defender Awards in celebration of their courage, determination
Naming four journalists, the rights watchdog said the award was also for all those who have lost their lives while covering events on the ground
Amnesty International Australia has awarded this year's Human Rights Defender Awards to journalists working in the war-torn Gaza, where over 100 media workers have lost their lives since Israel started bombing the strip in October 2023.
While it named four journalists, the rights watchdog said the award was also for all those who have lost their lives while covering events on the ground.
The rights watchdog said, "This year's awards recognise individuals based on the significant impact of their fearless reporting on the genocide in Gaza, their innovative use of social media and citizen journalism to challenge traditional narratives and their ability to inspire action for justice."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"The deliberate targeting and killing of journalists and press by Israeli forces constitutes war crimes under international humanitarian law. Despite these clear violations, no perpetrators have been held accountable to date and have continued to target journalists will full impunity," Amnesty International Australia wrote in its website, announcing the names of the award winners.
"To honour the extraordinary resilience, bravery and courage of journalists working in the most perilous conditions, Amnesty International Australia is proud to announce the inaugural Human Rights Defender Awards," it wrote.
Named awardees
The named awardees are Bisan Owda, Palestinian journalist, activist, and filmmaker; Anas Al Sharif, Palestinian journalist at Al Jazeera Arabic; Plestia Alaqad, Palestinian journalist and author; and Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, Palestinian journalist and columnist.
Bisan Owda, Plestia Alaqad, Al Jazeera's Anas Al-Sharif were named during the ceremony. While journalist Ahmed Shihab-Eldin was also honoured individually for his work.
Accepting the award, Bisan Owda said "Thank you, for the work, for the recognition and all the efforts you do to shed light upon this genocide. It's an honour to accept this award.
"I'm here, in front of you, surviving more than 420 days. Surviving being killed by bombing, while I am helping my people by spreadingthe truth and documenting the genocide. I don't find anything more honourable on earth than defending the rights of defenceless people, the oppressed people.
"Thank you to all the rights defenders on this earth and thank you for this award. Free Palestine."
Anas Al-Sharif dedicated the award to "every Palestinian journalist who has covered the events and crimes of the Israeli occupation in light of the ongoing war and siege on the Gaza strip" including his colleague, wounded Al Jazeera cameraman Fadi Al-Wahidi.
"The day of announcing this award coincides with the day of my father's martyrdom who was martyred inside my home after it was targeted by the army of the Israeli occupation a year ago. I dedicate this award to the soul of my father; may God have mercy on his soul," he also said.
Shihab-Eldin said, "I am honoured and humbled to be included amongst the bravest journalists I know who are risking it all to keep us informed. They have taught me so much about what it means to bear witness, and what it means to be human."
Meanwhile, Alaqad said, "Winning this award is a powerful reminder that our work is far from over. It fuels my determination to continue advocating for Palestinians, sharing their stories, and ensuring their voices are never forgotten.
"This is not just recognition of my efforts, but of the resilience and strength of my people, who continue to inspire me every day."
After Hamas launched an attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, Israel started bombing the Gaza strip. A week later, Israel also launched a ground invasion there. Since then, at least 44,000 have been killed in Gaza, including "138 journalists and media workers have been killed in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, while carrying out their critical role of bearing witness, truth-telling and documenting atrocities."
Speaking about this year's award, Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia's Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson said, "Freedom of the press is essential to enable democratic and free societies. Freedom of information is a fundamental human right. Journalists and the media are crucial to ensure transparency and accountability."
Yet, he noted that media freedom and the safety of journalists are under threat around the globe. Each attack on journalists is an attack on press, freedom and truth. Journalists are not and should never be a target.
"It is in this context that the Amnesty International Australia Human Rights Defender Awards honour excellence in human rights journalism and applaud the courage and determination of journalists who put their lives on the line to tell important human rights stories from within or on Gaza. The Awards honour those who have risked their lives to ensure and uphold the integrity of journalism, in protecting freedom of independent information," said Duar.
