Four honoured with ‘Alternative Nobel’ award

COPENHAGEN: The “Alternative Nobel” was given to four people for their “courageous work” in human rights, public health and good governance.

The prize foundation yesterday announced the 2017 winners as Indian human rights lawyer Colin Gonsalves, Azeri journalist Khadija Ismayilova and Ethiopian lawyer Yetnebersh Nigussie. American environmental lawyer Robert Bilott was given an honorary award. The three others share a cash award of 3 million kronor (RM1.57mil).

The award’s official name is the Right Livelihood Award.

Gonsalves was cited “for his tireless and innovative use of public interest litigation over three dec- ades to secure fundamental human rights for India’s most marginalised and vulnerable citizens”.

The Stockholm-based award committee said Ismayilova had shown “courage and tenacity” in exposing corruption in her native Azerbaijan “through outstanding investigative journalism in the name of transparency and accountability”.

Nigussie was tapped “for her inspiring work promoting the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities”.

Bilott was cited “for exposing a decades-long history of chemical pollution, winning long-sought justice for the victims, and setting a precedent for effective regulation of hazardous substances”. — AP