Belhassan wins North-South prize

The Tunisian human rights activist, Souhayr Belhassan, has been awarded the North-South Prize from the European Centre for Global Interdependence and Solidarity, in  "recognition for her long-time commitment in favour of human rights in the world, as well as her fight for women's rights in developing countries". Belhassan, who is the President of the International Federation of Human Rights,  received this prize from the Portuguese President, Anibal Cavaco, along with Serbian President Boris Tadic. The prize is awarded annually to two candidates, one from the north and another from the south. Belhassan said "This prize is a tribute to the struggle of Arab women in the region, addressing a special thought to the Syrians who are enduring appalling events who wait for the end of the suffering". She added "This Prize has also come at an important time in our struggle which saw the end of a totalitarian regime , and the establishment of free and democratic institutions, with transparent elections, that pushed an Islamist movement to power, and that is a result we can only respect". The North-South prize has been awarded every year since 1995 to two candidates who have stood out for their commitment to protect human rights and promote North-South solidarity. The winners of 2010 were the former Brazilian President, Lula Da Silva, and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour.