A few days ago, President Ilham Aliyev was awarded the “Gernika Award for Peace and Reconciliation”. The head of our state was awarded for his efforts in achieving peace and promoting dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Why and by whom was this award established? Which famous politicians have received it so far?
According to Modern.az, the Gernika Peace Award, named after the city of Gernika-Lumo in the Basque region of Spain, is presented to individuals who contribute to the promotion of peace, reconciliation, and human rights in the world. The award was established by the Gernika-Lumo City Council.
Among the famous politicians who have been honored with this prestigious award are a number of world leaders:
Nelson Mandela – He was the first black president of South Africa. After 27 years in prison, he became one of the key figures in the abolition of the apartheid regime and the establishment of national reconciliation.
Mary Robinson – She was the first female president of Ireland, and later played an important role in international human rights protection as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Adolfo Pérez Esquivel – He is an Argentine human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. He fought against human rights violations during the military dictatorship.
Rigoberta Menchú – She is a renowned activist defending the rights of indigenous peoples in Guatemala and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
José Ramos-Horta – He was one of the leaders of East Timor's independence movement, the country's former president, and a key participant in peace negotiations.
Federico Mayor Zaragoza – A Spanish politician, he served as Director-General of UNESCO for many years, promoting global peace and cultural dialogue initiatives.
It should be noted that this award is presented not only to politicians but also to international organizations and public figures. The name of the award is associated with the city where a tragic event such as the bombing of Gernika took place in 1937, and in this regard, it carries special symbolic significance.
