One undocumented worker and three immigrants recognized as local Human Rights Heroes
December 10, 2018 marked 70 years since passing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On December 9th, 2018, we, the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, hosted our 12th Human Rights Awards as part of our effort to build a human rights city; a place where all in our community belong, are included and able to participate.
These awards are meant to recognize those in our community who are actively promoting, fulfilling, protecting or educating on human rights. The 2018 Human Rights Champions Award recipients are:
Lynn came to Canada as a temporary foreign worker and struggled with an abusive work environment. While she was pregnant, her application for a new work permit was denied. In April 2017 Lynn inspired and lead a province-wide campaign that score victory with health coverage for children of non-status parents.
Ahmed Knowmadic Ali, a full-time poet and entrepreneur whose art centers on social justice, mental health and positive identity. Ahmed has changed the lives of many young people. His humorous and refreshing perspective breaks barriers that allow youth to be themselves.
Mahamad Accord has been an advocate for over 13 years; he brings awareness to the issues of racial profiling and unsolved murders in the Somali community. He travels across the province to help people navigating the justice system. Mahamad is currently supporting a team of Somali women to build cooperatives and opportunities for income generation.
Greg Lopez became aware of the unfair decisions and processes that stand in the way of vulnerable refugee claimants, he took on learning the filing process himself. As a result he has supported numerous claimants, including from the LGTBQ community, to escape situations of persecution and human rights violations through helping them translate their narratives in a safe way into their claims. He stands with and walks with them through the process while supporting their well-being.
The awards ceremony was fortunate enough to receive some press coverage:
