Monday, January 27, 2014

Peter Tatchell dedicates award to Balochistan, Honorary Doctorate of Laws from De Montfort University in Recognition for 47 years of human rights campaigning

British human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has dedicated his receipt of an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from De Montfort University to the people of Balochistan and their struggle for freedom and self-determination. Mr Tatchell received his award on 23 January 2014, in recognition of his 47 year of human rights campaigning, at a ceremony at The Curve in Leicester, UK.  In his acceptance speech, he said: “I dedicate my acceptance of this honorary doctorate to the people of Balochistan who have suffered more than 60 years of annexation, occupation and human rights abuses by Pakistan.  They will win their freedom in the end.” He added:
“In accepting this honour, I pay tribute to the many heroic, inspirational activists I have worked with to defend human rights in Uganda, Somaliland, Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Balochistan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Western Sahara, Iraq, Palestine and West Papua. “I am so lucky to have had the privilege to know and support so many amazing, courageous human rights defenders around the world. I walk in their shadow, humbled by their bravery and sacrifice.” 
Other honorary doctorate awardees included House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, and the inventor of genetic fingerprinting, Sir Alec Jeffreys.

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