This year’s laureate of the Hrant Dink International Prize is prominent Turkish public figure Osman Kavala.
Kavala, who has been behind bars for more than a thousand days, noted in his message sent from Silivri prison: “I believe that the prejudices existing between different segments of society and people living in different countries can be overcome through thinking, speaking and listening.”
In his speech, Kavala also mentioned Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş, who is in prison, journalist and commentator Ahmet Altan, other imprisoned journalists, and lawyer Ebru Timtik, who recently died as a result of a hunger strike.
Among figures active outside Turkey, the Dink Prize was awarded to Egyptian activist Mozn Hassan, who works on the defence of women’s rights.
“Receiving such a valuable prize gives meaning to all the difficulties I have endured and reminds me of the importance of continuing the struggle without despair,” Hassan said with enthusiasm.
The event, held for the 12th time on September 15, Dink’s birthday, took place this year on an online platform. The ceremony was broadcast live from “23.5,” the former editorial office building of Agos, which has been turned into a site of memory for Hrant Dink.
