On May 30th, 2009, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) will present the Annual Human Rights and Democracy Awards to individuals and institutions that have made remarkable contribution in the promotion and protection of human rights. The Annual Human Rights and Democracy Awards aims to inspire, recognize, support, and motivate individuals and institutions that have made contributions to human rights in Kenya. The definitions of human rights include both civil and political rights on one hand, and economic social and cultural rights on the other.

A. CATEGORIES:
1. “MILELE” (THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT) AWARD.
This Award is to be presented to an individual who has:
a)    An impeccable track record of service to human rights and democracy;
b)    Substantial experience in the service of human rights;
c)    Led the development of contemporary and creative measures in the struggle for human rights;
d)    Fostered positive inter group relations amongst persons of different ethnic origin, races, gender, religious backgrounds, and physical and mental abilities;
e)    Consistently demonstrated dedication and commitment to the human rights agenda;
f)    Mentored and taught others in human rights;
g)    Published articles and books on human rights;

The above criteria may also apply posthumously.

2. “FIRIMBI” (THE WHISTLE BLOWER) AWARD.
 
To be presented to an individual who has:

a)    With the only motivation being national good, blown the whistle on a matter of national importance affecting human rights, democracy and the fight against corruption;
b)    In the course of his/her duties, refused to succumb to negative pressure affecting them;
c)    Not impacted negatively on human rights and democracy during their active career.

3. “UMMA” (THE PUBLIC BODY) AWARD

To be presented to a public institution or public servant who has:

a)    Measurably endeavored to infuse human rights principles and standards into its policies;
b)    Led the development of contemporary and creative measures for effective  exercise of  human rights;
c)    Endeavored to respect, protect, and promote the realization of various types of human rights;
d)    Been guided by equality and non-discrimination in its work;
e)    Developed and implemented policies in a participatory manner;
f)    Shown high levels of accountability and respect for the rule of law;
g)    Developed sustainable solutions to reduce poverty;
h)    Fostered positive inter group relations among persons of different ethnic origin, race, gender and religious backgrounds, and physical and mental abilities;
i)    Consistently demonstrated dedication and commitment to the human rights and democratization agenda.

4. “UTUMISHI” (THE POLICE) AWARD

To be presented to a police station or police officer who has shown:

a)    Efforts to improve efficiency and responsiveness to complaints from both members of the public, suspects, and police officers;
b)    Efforts to inculcate a higher degree of human rights and transparency
c)    Demonstrable efforts to inculcate a high degree of human rights consciousness on  self  and officers  e.g. the need to separate child offenders from their adult counterparts; the presence of children’s and women’s desks; and the maintenance of torture free environments;
d)    Efforts to ensure that the police station is generally scandal free; particularly as far as human rights abuses (e.g. torture of inmates) are concerned;
e)    Friendliness of the front desk officers;
f)    Demonstrable efforts to inculcate a high degree of transparency at the station e.g. freer access to the cells by  civil society organizations;
g)    Efforts towards improving the morale and welfare of its officers and  colleagues;
h)    Efforts towards adequate and varied recreational facilities for the officers;
i)    Efforts towards cleanliness of the station.

The above criteria will be evaluated within the context of the size and capacity of the station.

 5. “UREKEBISHAJI” (THE PRISONS) AWARD.

To be presented to a prison or prison officer that has shown;

a)    Innovative efforts to improve the lives of the prisoners;
b)    Demonstrable efforts to inculcate a high degree of human rights consciousness in officers and prisoners e.g. the need to separate child offenders from their adult counterparts; a demonstrable torture free environment;
c)    The lowest death rate of inmates from preventable causes;
d)    Integrity and honesty on the part of the Officer in Charge and his/her officers;
e)    Efforts towards efficiency in addressing complaints e.g. from inmates;
f)    Efforts to ensure that the prison is generally scandal free, particularly as far as human rights abuses (e.g. torturing prisoners) are concerned;
g)    Efforts towards cleanliness of the prison;
h)    Demonstrable effort towards ensuring a high degree of transparency at the prison e.g. freer access to the prison by civil society organizations;
i)    Efforts towards improving staff welfare e.g. housing and staff morale;
j)    Friendliness of the officers.

The above will be evaluated within the context of the size and capacity of the prison.

6. “UTETEZI” (THE CIVIL SOCIETY) AWARD.

To be presented to a civil society organization that has;

a)    Had, or has, the potential of having a demonstrable impact on human rights and democracy in the country, through the quantity and quality of  their work;
b)    Led the development of contemporary strategies  to fight for human rights;
c)    Endeavored to respect, protect, and promote the realization of various types of human rights;
d)    Been guided by equality and non-discrimination in its work;
e)    Developed policies and implemented them in a participatory manner;
f)    Shown high levels of accountability and respect for the rule of law;
g)    Developed sustainable solutions to reduce poverty;
h)    Fostered positive inter group relations among persons of different ethnic origin, race, gender, religious backgrounds, and physical or mental abilities;
i)    Consistently, and in the long term, demonstrated dedication and commitment to the human rights agenda;
j)    Observance of the values of probity, self-regulation, justice, service, cooperation, prudence and respect.

7. “MASHINANI” (THE COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATION) AWARD

To be presented to a Community Based Organization that has;

a)    Had, or has, the potential of having, a huge impact on the human rights and Democracy in the country through the quantity and quality of their work.
b)    Led the development of contemporary measures for effective exercise of human rights;
c)    Fostered positive inter group relations among persons of different ethnic origin, races, gender, religious backgrounds, and physical or mental abilities;
d)    Demonstrated a consistent and long term dedication and commitment to the human rights agenda;
e)    Endeavored to respect, protect, and promote the realization of various types of human rights;
f)    Been guided by equality and non-discrimination in its work;
g)    Developed and implemented policies in a participatory manner;
h)    Shown high levels of accountability and respect for the rule of law;
i)    Developed sustainable solutions to reduce poverty;
j)    Observed the values of probity, self-regulation, justice, service, cooperation, prudence and respect.

8. “HABARI” (THE MEDIA) AWARD

To be presented to a journalist, who:
a)    Has led the development of contemporary and creative measures to fight for human rights;
b)    Has fostered positive inter group relations among persons of different ethnic origin, race, gender, religious backgrounds, and physical or mental abilities;
c)    Has consistently, and in the long term, demonstrated dedication and commitment to the human rights agenda;
d)    Has not impacted negatively on human rights and democracy;
e)    Is accurate and professional e.g. researches soundly;
f)    Has  integrity;
g)    Has substantially reported on human rights issues;
h)    Is scandal free e.g. does not accept ‘hush money’ to kill a “damaging” story;
i)    Readily owns up to mistakes;
j)    Is overtly above partisan  politics

9. “JITOLEE” (THE BUSINESS) AWARD

  To be presented to a business that has:
a)    A demonstrable and genuine commitment to social responsibility/community development, observed in the development of programmes for the improvement of the community at large;
b)    Demonstrable and genuine commitment to staff welfare, including  a genuine commitment to staff development and  allowing staff creativity and  innovativeness;
c)    Implemented an initiative to provide opportunities and respect of the rights of people living with disabilities to access work opportunities.
d)    An effective and just (internal) redress mechanism;
e)    Efficiency and responsiveness to complaints;
f)    Demonstrable and genuine commitment to Human Rights, Democracy and effective Governance;
g)    Commitment to Environment protection and practices to achieve the same.
Not have been complicit in human rights violations or impacted negatively on Human Rights and Democracy.

10. “SPECIAL CATEGORY” AWARD

To be presented to:
a)    An individual  or  institution that  does  not  fall in the  8 categories  above,  but  has contributed significantly to the promotion and protection of  human  rights in  his/her community
b)    Fostered specific human rights practices in her/his community and region
c)    Has an impeccable track record of service to human rights and governance
d)    Initiated specific  campaigns and advocacy activities to fight negative cultural practices and structures  affecting  the  realization of human rights of vulnerable groups
e)    Established network of  human rights defenders/traditional leaders who are responsive and proactive in the protection and promotion of human rights of all community members particularly women

B.    The Prize       
 The prize for each category is a symbolic human rights sculpture, plus a certificate of achievement.  There are no monetary prizes.

C.    Eligibility

The Awards are eligible for Kenyan citizens and institutions in Kenya as well as foreigners or foreign institutions with impeccable human rights record in Kenya.

D.    Entry Rules

a.    The nominating individual or institution is required to simply fill in the official application form and mail it or fax it along with their entry to the addresses provided   in the nomination form.  There are no entry fees.

b.    The   nominating individual/ institution must:

a)    State clearly what category of nominations they are nominating in.
b)    Briefly describe the activities in which the nominee has been involved; which make him or her qualify for the award.
c)    Explain how the individual or institutions have contributed to positive change and to compare the conditions before the initiative started to after its completion.  
d)    Explain briefly the challenges experienced and how did the nominee overcome them.
e)    Suggest a way forward as far as the initiative by the nominee is  concerned and explain if other individuals, institutions or organizations can implement or  carry  forward  the ideas of the nominee
f)    All entrants are required to provide proof that they are bona fide nominees for the categories for which they are nominated and may also be requested to provide additional information.
g)    The deadline for submission of all entries is 4th May, 2009

c.    Members of staff and family members of the participating organizations cannot enter in the nomination exercise.
 
d.    The National Commission will verify any information received on the nominations and ratify the short listed awardees forwarded by the Awards Committee.

e.    One cannot enter a self nomination, or nominate a member of one’s family.

f.    The Commission’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

g.    The Commission has the right to reject an entry, which, in its opinion, does not comply with the requirements of the competition.

h.    The Commission may take a decision to award NO prize in any category.

i.    An Award shall only be revoked if the information received by the National Commission regarding the nominee was later found to be fraudulent or incorrect.

j.    If an Awardee is found to be in direct contravention of the human rights agenda for which they were nominated, the KNCHR will distance itself from such an awardee.  However, the award will not be withdrawn.  This is  because, apart   from the Milele  (Lifetime Achievement) Award  that is  given  on the  basis  of  a  lifelong  human  rights defence, the performance of  the awardees in the  other  eight  categories are  evaluated in the one year  period  preceding the Award.

Download the Entry Form here

Closing Date is 4th May 2009