Press Releases

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces the 4^th annual "Stella Soulioti" Human Rights Award and the opening on Monday, 9 September 2024, for submission of nominations or proposals for 2024. Anyone interested may either put themselves forward or nominate other individuals, groups or organisations for the Award, by completing the relevant form, as appropriate, available through the links provided below.

The Award, which was established by a Decision of the Council of Ministers based on a proposal submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be presented in December 2024 (exact date will be announced at a later stage), on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day (which is annually celebrated on 10^th December), to individuals/groups/organisations, which have consistently demonstrated over time outstanding work and activity, in a field or fields directly related to the promotion and protection of human rights.

Nominations or proposals can be submitted by/for persons or groups of persons legally residing in Cyprus, as well as by/for Non-Governmental Organisations registered and active in the Republic of Cyprus. Governmental authorities cannot be nominated or take part in the process. In-office government officials and/or high-level public officials are excluded for nominating individuals, groups or Organisations for the Award.

Based on the relevant Decision of the Council of Ministers, the evaluation of the nominations/ proposals and the selection of the winner will be made by a five-member Evaluation Committee comprising of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Chairman), the Minister of Justice and Public Order, the Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights (Ombudsman), as well by two prominent figures in the field of promotion and protection of human rights.

The Award is accompanied by a prize of 10,000 euro, which is intended to support the activities of the winning person/group/Organisation in the field of protection and promotion of human rights in Cyprus.

Application or nomination forms may be completed electronically and sent to humanrights@mfa.gov.cy or via post to "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Presidential Palace Avenue, 1447 Nicosia", with the envelope clearly marked on the outside "Human Rights Award".

For more information or clarification, you may call on (+357) 22651229 or send an e-mail to humanrights@mfa.gov.cy.

The deadline for receipt of nominations/proposals expires on Friday, 22 November 2024, at 16:00 (Cyprus time zone).

(MF/NGian/AP)