US Ambassador gives awards for human rights

Upholding human rights is one of the United States Government's top priorities worldwide, US Ambassador to Slovakia Adam Sterling said at the 6th annual human rights awards reception on Tuesday. The ambassador at the ceremony presented three annual human rights awards: the Human Rights Defender Award, the Transparency Award, and the Women of Courage Award. A civic initiative called Forgotten Slovakia, which aims to pursue activities against fascism, various forms of extremism and violence, received the Human Rights Defender Award. A Žilina-based NGO called Against Corruption received the Transparency Award in recognition of its persistence in promoting transparency and the rule of law. Additionally, the non-profit organisation Fenestra received the Embassy's Women of Courage Award, in recognition of their 20 years of efforts to prevent gender-based violence in Slovakia.