Press Releases

The “Stella Souliotis” Human Rights Award was established in 2021 in order to pay tribute to the unique and multi-dimensional legacy of Mrs Stella Souliotis, a remarkable figure in modern Cypriot history who inspired successive generations of Cypriots. The annual award was established to honour a person or non-governmental organisation (NGO) for outstanding contribution in the field of human rights in Cyprus.

The 2024 Award Assessment Committee, comprised of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus (Chair), Mr Constantinos Kombos, the Minister of Justice and Public Order of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Marios Hartsiotis, the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights, Mrs Maria Stylianou-Lottides as the two ex-officio members, as well as Mr Demetris Lamprianides (President of Cyprus Paraplegics Organisation, which received last year’s award) and Dr Costas Paraskevas, decided that the ‘‘Stella Soulioti’’ Human Rights Award for 2024 will be granted to Xenophon Kallis (posthumously) and Dr Marios Kariolou.

On the year that we mark 50 years of Turkish invasion and occupation, the Committee has decided to grand the award jointly to two personalities who have worked relentlessly to alleviate the plight of the relatives of the missing persons, and whose work highlights the magnitude of the violation of human rights in Cyprus.

The award ceremony will take place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, 10 December 2024, International Human Rights Day.

(MP/GS/ΑP)