Peter Tatchell’s campaigning: around the world for 40 years
JOURNALIST, human rights campaigner and NUJ member Peter Tatchell won the Campaigner of the Year award at the Observer newspaper’s Ethical Awards in London.
Peter Tatchell’s relentless campaigns have taken in the causes of gay rights and human rights in general around the world. He has attempted a citizen’s arrest on Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe and been beaten up by anti-gay thugs in Moscow.
At the ceremony in June he paid tribute to “the many human rights campaigners worldwide who risk their lives and freedom, in countries like Russia, Iran, Zimbabwe, Iraq and China. It is an honour to work with and support them,” he said.
“I was often demonised by the popular press, lambasted by the political establishment and targeted for violent attack by neo-nazis. After more than 40 years of activism for gay rights and for other human rights causes, it is immensely gratifying to receive this accolade.
“During the last year, my campaign schedule has included arrest at the recent Gay Pride parade in Moscow, support for persecuted ethnic minorities in Iran and Pakistan, publicising the murder of gay Iraqis by Islamist death squads, challenging homophobia in football, assisting asylum seekers fleeing persecution, lobbying against the ban on same-sex marriage and helping secure the acquittal of two Baluch human rights campaigners who were framed on terrorism charges in London.
“I do my bit for human rights, but so do many others. Together, we make the change.”