Oleksandra Matviychuk
“It is important to support and honour those who took part in Ukraine’s democracy movement. Those who worked day and night, speaking up for a democratic development in Ukraine – and later investigating the crimes that took place at Maidan. This year’s recipient of Sjur Lindebrække Prize for Human Rights of Democracy is such a voice.” said the chairman of the jury and former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Norway, Jan Petersen.
Oleksandra Mutvilchuk Testimony
Murder, abduction, torture, sexual violence, the use of the civilian population as 'human shields', politically motivated prosecutions in occupied territories – all of this has become our daily reality.
We have no illusions about current politicians and we can't guarantee there won't be a need for new protests
Oleksandra Matviychuk is Chairwoman of the Center for Civil Liberties NGO, member of the Advisory Board on Human Rights of the Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine. She is the author of publications on human rights, and the co-author of an annual report on monitoring the political persecution of civil society in Ukraine. She coordinates the Euromaidan SOS civic initiative, which was created after the violent crackdown of peaceful demonstrations on Independence Square on 30 November 2013.
Human rights defenders, after the political changes brought about by the 'Euromaidan' movement for independence and which led to political and military confrontation with Russia, work in a situation of armed conflict, helping people to survive and move from the conflict affected zones.
