Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum Receives Prestigious Gandhi Mandela Award 2020
Rigoberta Menchú Tum, the renowned Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Guatemalan human rights activist, has been honored with the Gandhi Mandela Award 2020. This prestigious accolade recognizes her lifelong commitment to advocating for Indigenous rights and promoting peace and social justice.
The Gandhi Mandela Award was conferred on Rigoberta Menchú Tum on July 18, 2023, coinciding with Nelson Mandela’s 106th birth anniversary. This date holds special significance, aligning with the values of peace and equality that both Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi championed throughout their lives.
According to the Gandhi Mandela Foundation, the award is bestowed upon individuals who exemplify and promote the values espoused by Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. These values include:
Born on January 9, 1959, into a poor peasant family in Guatemala, Rigoberta Menchú Tum’s journey as an activist began in her teenage years. Despite facing significant opposition, she persevered in her pursuit of social reform and justice.
During the Guatemalan Civil War, Menchú’s family suffered severe losses due to military oppression. This personal tragedy fueled her commitment to activism. In 1979, she joined the Committee of the Peasant Union (CUC), where she:
Forced into exile in Mexico in 1981 due to her activism, Menchú continued her efforts undeterred. In 1982, she co-founded the United Representation of the Guatemalan Opposition (RUOG), further amplifying her voice for Indigenous rights and social justice.
Rigoberta Menchú Tum’s tireless work has earned her numerous prestigious awards, including:
The Gandhi Mandela Award was established by the Gandhi Mandela Foundation to honor individuals who embody the principles of Gandhi and Mandela. It serves as a recognition of those who have made significant contributions to peace, social justice, and human rights.
The Gandhi Mandela Award includes:
His Holiness the Dalai Lama received the Gandhi Mandela Award for the year 2019, setting a prestigious precedent for the award.
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