Press Release
Published on October 21, 2015
New York City – Tonight at Human Rights First’s annual awards dinner at Chelsea Piers in New York City, the organization will honor European human rights activists Jane Braden-Golay, Siavosh Derakhti, and Niddal El-Jabri with its 2015 Human Rights First Award. The three activists are being recognized for their courage, determination, and innovation in combating religious intolerance and the rise of antisemitism in Europe. Human Rights First will also present its 2015 Sidney Lumet Award for Integrity in Entertainment to HBO Documentary Films for its powerful original productions that address a wide range of pressing human rights issues. Emmy-award winning journalist Meredith Vieira will host the evening’s celebration. Sheila Nevins, president of HBO Documentary Films, will accept the Lumet Award.
“Amid the darkness of anti-Semitic violence and hatred, these three young activists are lighting the way towards a better future,” said Human Rights First President and CEO Elisa Massimino. “We are inspired by their courage and determination, and we share their conviction that people from diverse faiths must come together to defeat hatred and build communities of tolerance. Like us, they know that antisemitism is a threat not only to Jews, but to all who value democracy and human dignity.”
Antisemitism is surging across Europe. Stoked by ascendant far-right parties and violent extremists trying to lay claim to Islam, mounting hatred has led to an increase in anti-Semitic attacks and worries that the continent is becoming unsafe for Jews. Historically, when antisemitism goes unchecked it leads to attacks on other vulnerable minorities and eventually to societal breakdown.
This year’s winners are each working to raise awareness about the scourge of antisemitism and to find long-term solutions rooted in tolerance and an appreciation for diversity. This year’s award recognizes the following accomplishments:
Each year, the Sidney Lumet Award honors a work of popular culture that advances understanding of pressing human rights issues. Through its documentary films focused on issues of war and peace, interrogation and torture, hate crime and discrimination, the rights of LGBT people, freedom of speech, domestic violence, and the revolutions of the Arab Spring, HBO Documentary films is motivating global audiences to demand action and solutions to some of the most dire human rights problems.
Tonight’s program will also recognize this year’s winners of the Marvin Frankel Award for extraordinary commitment to providing pro bono legal representation to individuals who have fled persecution and seek asylum in the United States. Human Right First will honor Akin Gump in Washington, D.C., Chadbourne & Parke in New York City, and Jones Day in Houston for their exemplary support for the influx of refugees needing services arriving at the U.S. southern border.