The Secretary General of the Council of Europe noted her courage and dedication to the cause of human rights.
On January 21, Aziza Abdirasulova, a well-known human rights activist from Kyrgyzstan, was awarded the Raoul Wallenberg Prize by the Council of Europe.
In an official statement, the organization mentioned that Abdirasulova "has taken unprecedented steps to expose systematic human rights violations in Central Asia," actively defending the rights of prisoners, freedom of assembly, and fighting against torture, as reported by Radio "Azattyk".
At the award ceremony held in Strasbourg, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, highlighted Abdirasulova's courage and dedication, noting her commitment to protecting fundamental human rights despite the risks.
“As one of the first independent human rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan, Aziza Abdirasulova tirelessly documented cases of torture and arbitrary detention. In the context of significant geopolitical changes and crises, the Raoul Wallenberg Prize once again draws attention to human rights defenders,” Berset added.
He also emphasized that despite threats and persecution, Abdirasulova remained steadfast.
Abdirasulova founded the organization "Kylym Shami," which works to expose human rights violations and provides legal assistance to victims, gaining recognition both in the country and abroad.
Accepting the award, Abdirasulova stated: “For me, every saved life, like for Raoul Wallenberg, is invaluable... My work in the field of human rights requires not only professional experience but also personal courage. Every time I witness torture, I try to help the victims to the best of my ability.”
The Wallenberg Prize has been awarded every two years since 2014 on the initiative of the Swedish authorities and the Hungarian parliament. Swedish diplomat Wallenberg, working in Budapest, used his resources to save tens of thousands of Jews from the Holocaust during World War II. He went missing in 1945 after the Soviet army took control.
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