Front Line Defenders recognises the work of Congolese women's rights campaigner Gégé Katana Bukuru.
At a ceremony in Dublin's City Hall, Bono presents the 2007 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk to the activist Gégé Katana Bukuru from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gégé Katana Bukuru is president of the Solidarity Movement of Women Human Rights Activists. Her life’s work is dedicated to research and campaigns against sexual violence.
The annual award, established in 2005, honours a human rights defender who has displayed exceptional courage in working non-violently for the rights of others as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Speaking after the ceremony, the U2 frontman praises Gégé Katana Bukuru and the Dublin based organisation Front Line Defenders.
She’s an extraordinary woman and Front Line are an extraordinary organisation, very simple idea that you have to look after the people who dare to raise their voice, so it’s an organisation of protection for human rights activists.
Speaking through a translator Gégé Katana Bukuru says for the women of the Solidarity Movement the award shows,
They are important, they have an important place in the society and it also sends a message to the government that they can’t ignore the role and the voice of women.
Bono praises the Irish government for its work with poorer nations to date,
We’re leaders, not laggards.
He hopes to see the Irish government’s continued commitment to overseas aid and the fulfilment of a pledge to spend 0.7% of the country's wealth on aid.
AN RTÉ news report broadcast on 1 May 2007. The reporter Samantha Libreri.
