Turkey’s “Standing Man” protester wins German human rights awardAugust 27, 2013 - 16:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey’s “Standing Man”, a performance artist who became an icon of anti-government protests this year, will receive a major German human rights award next week, the jury said Monday, August 26, according to AFP. Erdem Gunduz, a 34-year-old dancer and choreographer, will be honoured for his “courageous commitment to freedom of expression and human rights” with the M100 Media Award, awarded annually by a jury of journalists. He became known around the world by remaining motionless for hours, staring, on Istanbul’s Taksim Square during protests that challenged Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in June and July. “With his silent protest, he became the icon of peaceful resistance and has been emulated around the world,” said the jury which will award the prize on September 5 at Potsdam, just outside Berlin. “His weapon is creativity, his trademarks are courage and perseverance. That is what you need to promote free speech and human rights,” said Potsdam mayor and M100 chair Jann Jakobs. Last year European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi won the award. Previous recipients were Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard, who drew controversial pictures of the Prophet Mohammed, and former French foreign minister and founder of Doctors without Borders Bernard Kouchner. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | IDBank, Dalma team up for Caucasian Deer Reintroduction Program IDBank has joined Dalma Garden Mall’s Green Challenge to support the Caucasian red deer reintroduction project. Through Ucom’s support the 12th Sunchild Festival concludes On May 24-28, with the support of Ucom, the 12th international environmental festival Sunchild took place in Yerevan. U.S., Turkey emphasize importance of Armenia-Azerbaijan peace deal Jake Sullivan and Akif Cagatay Kilic have discussed the normalization process between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Armenia coach expects good football in Slovenia friendly The Armenian national team has left for Ljubljana a friendly match against Slovenia on June 4. |