French rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot honored for breaking silence at Four Freedoms Awards
This year’s Four Freedoms Awards will go in part to Gisèle Pelicot and the Committee to Protect Journalists, according to the Roosevelt Foundation in the Netherlands. The awards recognize people and organizations that have shown extraordinary dedication to defending basic freedoms. Pelicot endured years of abuse after being drugged by her husband and assaulted by him and numerous other men. Rather than remain silent, she opted for a public court case and shared her story openly.
The jury says Pelicot is being honored for openly addressing the abuse, thereby challenging taboos and motivating others to speak out. In doing so, she helps empower victims to tell their stories while firmly shifting responsibility and shame to those who committed the crimes.
The Committee to Protect Journalists is also receiving an award. “For more than 40 years, the organization has defended the right of journalists to do their work safely and without fear of retaliation.”
Another recipient is Chilean activist Isidora Uribe Silva, recognized for her long-standing dedication, beginning at age 13, to inclusion, equal rights, and gender equality.
It was previously announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the people of Ukraine will receive the International Four Freedoms Award this year, “in recognition of their courageous struggle for our freedom and democracy under exceptionally difficult circumstances.”
A Freedom of Religion award will also be presented, although the organization says the recipient’s identity cannot be made public due to safety concerns.
The Four Freedoms Awards have been awarded for over 40 years. The Roosevelt Foundation is chaired by Hugo de Jonge, who serves as the King’s Commissioner in Zeeland. De Jonge stated that the recipients demonstrate that freedom cannot be taken for granted and must continually be protected and upheld.
The Four Freedoms Awards will be presented on Thursday, April 16, during a ceremony at the Abbey in Middelburg, Zeeland.
Reporting by ANP
