A decision reached by the President of the Assembly of the Republic emerged from a proposal by the Constitutional Affairs Committee, which was unanimously approved at today’s meeting of the conference of parliamentary leaders.
The jury for this award, including members of the Constitutional Affairs Committee, also proposed the awarding of gold medals to constitutionalists Vital Moreira, Jorge Miranda, and Manuel Costa Andrade in their capacity as Constituent Deputies.
A similar honor was posthumously given to former Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão for his contributions to freedom of expression in Portugal and the right to information.
Addressing journalists, the President of the Assembly of the Republic highlighted the importance of this award for parliamentary life in terms of its contribution to Portuguese democracy.
“This award is particularly important for the Assembly of the Republic because it reaffirms its role in valuing and encouraging the work of those who defend and promote fundamental rights. This is a hallmark of the parliament’s commitment to a more humane and responsible democracy,” stated José Pedro Aguiar-Branco.
Regarding the winners of this year’s Human Rights Award, the jury honored AAMA “for its support work for populations with disabilities and other special needs and their families in sports, therapeutic, recreational, educational, and training settings.”
AAMA was also recognized for promoting “the quality of life and the full exercise of citizenship” for citizens with disabilities, “thus promoting the right of all human beings to equality in dignity and rights.”
As for journalist Mariana Van Zeller, her work “of international significance in the area of human rights” was highlighted, as she is “a correspondent for the National Geographic Channel, author of investigative reports on environmental, social, and migration policies, and the face of the series Trafficked, focusing on drug, arms, and human trafficking.”
According to a note signed by the President of the Constitutional Affairs Committee, Social Democrat Deputy Paula Cardoso, the jury suggested that the official award and medal ceremony could be held “at the end of the morning on December 11 or, if not possible, at the end of the morning on December 10.”
