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Olexandra Matviychuk
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Ukrainian human rights activist Olexandra Matviychuk and the Center for Civil Liberties (CCL) receive this year's Alternative Nobel Prize.
This was announced by the Right Livelihood Foundation in Stockholm.
Matviychuk received the award “for building sustainable democratic institutions in Ukraine and shaping a path to international prosecution of war crimes”.
As chair of the Center for Civil Liberties (CCL), which was founded in 2007, Matviychuk is helping to strengthen Ukrainian civil society and state democratic structures and is committed to promoting national and international law, the foundation said in its statement.
It documents human rights violations and war crimes.
In doing so, she paves the way for social and legal reappraisal, which has been of particular importance since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Award also goes to Somalia, Uganda and Venezuela
Matwijtschuk is not the only winner.
Also honored are the Somali human rights activists Fartuun Adan and Ilwad Elman, the Venezuelan collective Cecosesola and the Africa Institute for Energy Governance (Afiego).
Cecosesola (Central de Cooperativas de Lara) received the award »for the development of a fair and efficient community economy as an alternative to the profit-oriented economic model«.
The network of community organizations from low-income regions produces affordable goods and services for more than 100,000 families in seven Venezuelan states at well below retail prices.
The collective has grown steadily over the past 55 years and is »an inspiration for everyone who is looking for alternative economic approaches«.
The Africa Institute for Energy Governance (Afiego) from Uganda received an award for its commitment to climate justice.
The organization supports communities in defending themselves against environmentally harmful projects in oil and gas production.
Through lobbying, media campaigns, and local and international legal action, Afiego has ensured that community voices are heard by decision-makers, Right Livelihood said.
Other award winners are the Somali human rights activists Fartuun Adan and Ilwad Elman.
The mother and daughter support survivors of gender-based violence through their organization Elman Peace.
They also rehabilitate former child soldiers and enable women and young people to receive vocational training and learn leadership skills.
The Right Livelihood Award, which has been presented since 1980, honors individuals and organizations who are fighting the world's greatest problems every year shortly before the actual Nobel Prize is announced.
The prizes are each endowed with one million Swedish crowns (around 100,000 euros).
The money is intended to support the work of the awardees and not for personal use.
Previous winners include US whistleblower Edward Snowden and environmental activist Greta Thunberg.
The Right Livelihood Foundation includes the fight for human rights and peace as well as against the climate crisis and environmental problems.
The award will be presented in Stockholm on November 30th.
She is at a critical distance from the Nobel Prizes, whose winners for this year will be announced in Stockholm and Oslo on Monday.
as/AFP/dpa