The Geuzen Resistance Foundation, an organization set up by Dutch resistance veterans who fought the Nazi occupation, will present its highest honor to Human Rights Watch for its work in responding to human rights abuses and “its remarkable effectiveness in achieving results.”
On March 13, Jan Pronk, who spearheaded international efforts on Darfur when he served as the UN secretary-general's special representative to Sudan, will present the Geuzen Medal to Human Right Watch's associate director, Carroll Bogert. The ceremony will take place at the Grote Kerk in the Dutch town of Vlaardingen.
"We admire the Geuzen Foundation's commitment to human rights values," said Bogert. "Human Rights Watch is tremendously honored to receive the Geuzen Medal for our own efforts to fight against human rights abuse around the world today."
The Geuzen Resistance 1940-1945 Foundation (Stichting Geuzenverzet 1940-45) was established to keep alive the ideals and memory of the Geuzen, who were the first members of the Dutch resistance in World War II. Since 1987, the foundation has awarded a Geuzen Medal to individuals or institutions that have devoted themselves to fighting against dictatorship, discrimination and racism. Previous laureates include Václav Havel, the former Czech dissident and president, and the Argentine group Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo (Madres de Plaza de Mayo).
The Geuzen Medal. © 2007 Geuzen Resistance 1940-1945 Foundation
"Human Rights Watch has worked on behalf of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, and has won reprieve for many, including Iranians who sought asylum in the Netherlands in 2006," said Hans Mathijssen, the Geuzen Foundation's executive secretary.
The Geuzen Medal nomination committee recognized Human Rights Watch for the following achievements:
- Protecting civilians in armed conflicts
Human Rights Watch has fought tirelessly for the protection of civilians in armed conflicts, including in Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel and Lebanon. - Ensuring international justice
Human Rights Watch was an active proponent of the International Criminal Court, established in 2002, with its seat in The Hague, to investigate and prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. - Promoting treaties on landmines and child soldiers
Human Rights Watch has successfully promoted several international treaties, including one banning the use of child soldiers, one prohibiting enforced disappearances (detention, often by way of abduction, of a person by government agents who subsequently refuse to acknowledge the detention or provide information about the fate or whereabouts of the person), and one prohibiting the manufacture and use of landmines. In 1997, together with its partner organizations, Human Rights Watch received the Nobel Peace Prize for its campaign against landmines.
Geuzen Resistance Foundation Activities from March 12 to 14, 2007
On Monday, March 12, Bill Minco, a former resistance fighter and honorary chairman of the Geuzen Resistance 1940-1945 Foundation, will be memorialized by having the square opposite Vlaardingen-Centrum railway station named after him. Minco, who died on May 5, 2006 at age 83, was one of the founders of the foundation and dedicated himself for more than 60 years to keeping alive the memory of the Dutch resistance movement during World War II. His widow, Astrid Minco, and Carroll Bogert of Human Rights Watch will unveil the street sign "Bill Mincoplein" (or Bill Minco Square) at 1 p.m.
On Tuesday, March 13, the town of Vlaardingen once again commemorates the execution of 15 Geuzen resistance fighters in 1941 and hosts the presentation of the Geuzen Medal 2007. The commemoration will start with a gathering in the Bethelkerk, followed by the laying of wreaths and flowers at the Geuzen grave in the Emaus cemetery and the observation of a minute's silence. There will then be a silent procession from the Geuzen grave to the Markt. At 2 p.m., a memorial service will be held at the Geuzen Monument in the Markt. The Geuzen Medal presentation ceremony in the Grote Kerk will start at 3 p.m. Attendance is by invitation only.
On Wednesday, March 14, a group of Human Rights Watch researchers will talk about their work in Darfur and Chechnya at the Resistance Museum in Amsterdam. Bogert will lead the discussion, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. The Resistance Museum is at Plantage Kerklaan 61, Amsterdam. Admission is free, and booking is recommended by calling +31-020-620-2535.
Background on Jan Pronk
Jan Pronk was a member of parliament in the Netherlands who served as minister for development cooperation between 1989 and 1992, and later as minister of housing, spatial planning and environment between 1998 and 2002. In 2004, he worked on peacekeeping operations in Darfur for two years as the special representative of the UN secretary-general. Currently, he is a professor of the theory and practice of international development at the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague.
