“Hrant Dink” international awards ceremony is kicked off every year, on September 15, the day of the birthday of Hrant Dink, the editor-in-chief of “Agos”, also a social activist, murdered by Turkish nationalists on January 19, 2007. This year, due to the coincide with the holidays with the Muslim “Kurban Bayramı”, the day was moved to September 22. “Hrant Dink” Award was held for the 8th time.
The jury staff selecting the winners for 2016 included the winner for 2015, Ombudsman Samar Badawi, world famous filmmaker Atom Egoyan, Secretary-General of “Reporters Without Borders” Christopher Deloire, Hrant Dink’s widow – Rakel Dink and others. Every time, the award is given to one person and one organization, within are fighting against racism and discrimination inside and outside of Turkey and are ready to take the risk for their own ideas and most importantly, speak in the language of peace. Thus, in 2016 the winners for the “Hrant Dink” International Award are Theresa Kachindamoto from Malawi (East Africa) who is fighting against the child marriages and for the rights of children, as well as the Bar Association in Diyarbakir.
Gohar HAKOBYAN, Istanbul
