Turkish Cypriot nominated for US ‘Women of Courage’ award
A TURKISH Cypriot woman has been nominated for the US Department of State’s 2022 “Secretary of State International Women of Courage Award”.
Fezile Osum, who works for the Human Rights Platform and the Refugee Rights Association, had her nomination announced at a recent press conference hosted by the US ambassador to South Cyprus, Judith Garber, during which she was presented with a nomination certificate.
Mrs Garber said in a speech that Ms Osum “has been at the forefront of advocacy for victims [of human trafficking] and those in need of protection for more than 10 years”.
Mrs Garber added that Ms Osum had “pioneered the work carried out on the signing of the [United Nations’ Palermo Protocol]”, which calls upon political leaders to take action to prevent human trafficking, provide protection to victims, and work with non-governmental organisations which defend those in need of protection.
Mrs Garber also mentioned the “important role” played by Ms Osum in the formation of the Human Rights Platform, which highlights the problems of human trafficking in North Cyprus, and said that Ms Osum’s “leadership and efforts to raise awareness helped many Turkish Cypriots to learn about human trafficking activities”.
She praised Ms Osum’s work to advance the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and LGBTQI+ people, and that she is willing to “put herself at risk for the rights of those in need of protection and those who are excluded from society”, adding that “despite threats and police coercion, Fezile refused to back down”.
She concluded her speech by saying that “for all these reasons and more, I am honoured to present Fezile Osum with the International Women of Courage Award nominee certificate”.