- Meghalaya-based rights activist Agnes Kharshiing along with Turkish activist Nebahat Akkoç received the 11th International Hrant Dink Award on September 15, 2019.
- Both the activists were presented the award that commemorates the memory of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, who was killed in 2007, in Istanbul.
- Agnes Kharshiing survived an assault by the coal mafia almost a year ago while Nebahat Akkoç fights activist male violence.
- As per the award committee, Ms. Kharshiing was chosen for defending the rights of the poor, women, children and disadvantaged groups where she lives as well as for environmental rights .
- Turkey’s Anatolia based Ms. Akkoç was awarded for “working to raise awareness about women’s rights and to struggle against male violence”.
About Hrant Dink Award
- Since 2009, the Hrant Dink Award is presented every year to individuals, organisations or groups that work for a world free from discrimination, racism and violence, and who take personal risks for achieving those ideals, break the stereotypes and use the language of peace and by doing so give inspiration and hope to others.
