Journalist and culture activist, Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo has been honoured by the Argentina-based International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights (CIPDH), under the auspices of UNESCO.
Anikulapo was honoured with the prestigious UNESCO Defender of Cultural Rights Award 2024 in far away Argentina alongside other change making individuals and organizations from across the world.
The award was instituted to recognize individuals, national and international organizations and entities that work to strengthen and defend human rights.
According to the organisers, the recognition is a testament to Anikulapo’s unwavering commitment to cultural advocacy, his immense leadership and nurturing a vibrant, purposeful creative industry in Africa.
The eveent was held in the Montevideo Hall of the Legislature of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires and brought together prominent figures from the fields of culture, politics and the defense of fundamental rights.
The ceremony was chaired by Fernanda Gil Lozano, Executive Director of the CIPDH under the auspices of UNESCO, and by the Director of Institutional Strengthening of the organization, Rodrigo Karasik. Among those present were legislative representatives, diplomatic representatives, business representatives, civil society entities and the general public.
Karasik, who gave the welcome remarks, said: “…It has been a very interesting and intense job in selecting today’s award winners. There are many people throughout the world who dedicate their lives and energy to human rights. Among all of them, we had to gather data on their work, how they did it, what their life trajectories were, their paths. We were able to see their stories and a lot of different approaches and different work themes, how human rights are understood in the 21st century. All of this has led us on a deeply moving journey and has given us the desire to continue working on this, which is why I thank them.
“To be able to understand where they are going and what diversity of issues human rights require in the 21st century. In all of you we have found those paths, those diversities and that impact for the future. Each recipient of this distinction and their communities constitute the pillars of a more just, free and equal world.”
In his acceptance speech, Anikulapo said that “….It is a pleasure to receive this award. I thank those who have invited me for my tireless work in the defense of human rights and Nigerian culture.”
Brenda Bucovich, another awardee and Human Rights Officer at the United Nations High Commissioner, said: “… I would like to thank the International Center for the Promotion of Human Rights for this distinction that I am honored to receive. I extend my gratitude to all human rights defenders and experts in this field that I consider my mentors and source of inspiration for my work.”
Javier Contreras, Undersecretary of Human Rights of Chile, said that “…I accept this recognition with great humility. It has been a very nice surprise. I am a lawyer by profession and I have dedicated my entire life to working for the State administration, as a litigating lawyer in human rights cases (…) It has been an interesting and long road, rocky to travel, but that is what working for human rights is like. Thank you very much again for this recognition.”
Rikker Krog Hjortborg Re – Arc Institute. Received by Stefano Romagnoli. In his words of thanks, he indicated that “…We work in different parts of the planet supporting socio-urban integration projects, climate projects, public space projects, and in different contexts of vulnerability.”
Luis Moreno Ocampo, First Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, thanked the International Center for the Promotion of Human Rights for his award. He said: “…for this recognition, from Armenia, where I am currently working on a seminar on genocide. The Argentine experience has been consecrated as an international commitment and the work we do with students from Armenian schools in Argentina.”
