The U.S.-based Gruber Foundation's International Justice Prize has been awarded to the Kurdish Human Rights Project.  As one of five recipients this year who have challenged the world's more common forms of intolerance, KHRP is being recognised for our work in protecting the liberty and human rights of all people in the Kurdish regions, with our belief that justice should be available for all reflected in the Gruber Foundation's awarding of the prize to recipients who pursue justice as a universal concept.

In particular, KHRP is being recognised for its use of a variety legal instruments in protecting human rights and seeking redress for violations, including bringing cases on behalf of hundreds of applicants at the European Court of Human Rights and its on the ground field missions. The prize award notes the importance of KHRP’s consistent presence over the last 19 years as well as the notable reforms and successes on a wide range of issues, from preventing conflict over water in Turkey, Iraq and Syria to receiving a landmark judgment in the European Court toward the abolition of capital punishment.

Kerim Yildiz, KHRP's Chief Executive, said: “KHRP is honored to receive such recognition from the Foundation, and especially to find itself in the company of such accomplished human rights defenders globally. Our work over the last 19 years continues to evolve with the ever-changing landscape in the Kurdish regions and receiving this award not only helps us grow with the times, but also, and more importantly, gives hard-earned recognition to all our partners and survivors of abuses. They continue to make grand strides for justice and this award is for their bravery, intellect, passion and progress”.

The award ceremony will take place at National Constitution Centre, Philadelphia, PA on October 6th 2011.

The website of the Gruber Foundation’s International Justice Prize can be found here.

The KHRP- assisted case of Chiragov and others v Armenia, appeared before the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg today, the 15th September. The six applicants and their families, all Azeri Kurds, appeared before the court to argue how they had been deprived of their right to peaceful enjoyment of their possessions as guaranteed by Article 1 of Protocol 1 to the European Convention of Human Rights. The applicants were forced to flee their villages in the Lachin region of Azerbaijan during an attack by Armenia in 1992. The applicants have since been unable to return to their homelands in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, as the area is still the subject of an international dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Following today’s hearing, Catriona Vine, Legal Director of the Kurdish Human Right Project noted, 'This case and this hearing is an important step in shining a light on the everyday person living in Nagorno-Karabakh. Too often the conflict is talked about at a political level and the people who have lost their homes are simply forgotten.'

Also today, KHRP Managing Director Rachel Bernu presented at a seminar highlighting the situation for Displaced Persons in the Kurdish regions.  The seminar, which was hosted by KHRP Advisor Jean Lambert MEP and took place at the European Parliament in Brussels, was aimed at drawing attention to the issues many Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) in the Kurdish region face and the role of the international community in seeking sustainable solutions. In Turkey alone, there are an estimated 3.5 million internally displaced persons, representing nearly 5% of the State’s population. In some districts in the Southeast, as much as 90% of the population are IDPs. In Iraq, there are a further over 1.5 million IDPs, many residing in the Kurdish region and the surrounding disputed areas.

'Displacement is endemic in the Kurdish regions and it is vital that when the EU engages with governments in this region that is actively contributing to a solution to this problem. KHRP hopes the EU will increase its support for agencies like the UNHCR and other frontline organisations working on these issues all the while working with regimes to develop better policies and practices in relation to displaced persons' said Rachel Bernu, Managing Director of the Kurdish Human Rights Project.

Download KHRP’s presentation on the situation of IDPs in the Kurdish regions.