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This year, NED pays tribute to
the people of Sudan
and their historic
2019 revolution,
when it honors three leading
civil society organizations that
have worked tirelessly to
promote democracy,
women's rights, and the rule
of law in Sudan
with the 2020 Democracy Award.
We know who was the force
behind the revolution
it was women and
it was youth.
They inspired, they challenged,
they demanded many of
the positive changes that we
are seeing today.
So we recognize their energy,
their dedication, and
the enormous courage of the
women and youth who
brought peaceful protests that
lead to Omar al-Bashir's ouster.
We believe it is only fitting
that women and youth should play
a significant role in the
institutions that are
going to shape Sudan's future.
The fact that these three
Sudanese organizations represent
civil society, women, and areas
that were marginalized by
the previous regime is
indicative of the
political awareness and maturity
of the Sudanese people
and their ability to
peacefully organize
to demand their
democratic rights.
This is an inspiration to
the people everywhere.
I'll take this opportunity to
congratulate the three awardees
on their contributions to
promoting democracy throughout
the world often at great risk to
themselves and their communities
and in difficult circumstances.
Each and every one of
you is a leader for all
and your sacrifices have been
recognized by the world.
I salute you.
I've been asked to
highlight the work of the
Regional Centre for Training and
Development of Civil Society.
They've been at the forefront of
the fight for democratic
processes in Sudan for
12 years now.
Their work providing youth with
the education necessary to
engage in the political process
as informed citizens
lays the ground work for
a bright future
for the Sudanese people.
We know that this
transition to democracy
isn't an easily won battle.
Hearts and minds must
still be persuaded
but that's why this work
and these awards matter.
From myself, and from many
folks around the world,
and on behalf of the National
Endowment for Democracy,
congratulations.
Thank you for all of what you
do and please keep up the work.
You've got a lot of
us cheering for you.
It is my privilege and my
pleasure to receive
this Democracy Award
on behalf of the people of
Sudan, as it means a lot to me,
to my colleagues at RCDCS, and a
multitude of Sudanese
civil society activists and
citizens groups.
It is a recognition and
acknowledgement of the important
role of civil society
organizations
as champions of change.
It also sheds light on the fact
that civil society organizations
are the key instruments through
which the needs,
desires, and inspirations of the
Sudanese people are
understood and acknowledged.
Civil society is the best
partner for a peaceful,
constructive environment for
change in Sudan.
Since 2002, the NuWEDA has
devoted its work to promoting
the active political
participation of women and girls
helping them to gain
access to education,
healthcare, and job skills.
Women were at the forefront of
the December revolution
which brought forward Sudan's
democratic transition
bringing attention to the
importance of women's rights
and human rights in
advancing democracy.
I want you to know that Congress
was excited and inspired by
the protest movement in Sudan
but even more so by the fact
that there were
so many women leading the way
toward a more democratic Sudan.
It is my honor to present the
2020 Democracy Award to NuWEDA.
Congratulations on this
great achievement.
I'm so proud and I'm happy
that I'm representing
the Sudanese civil society
and representing what the
women, my sisters,
my fellow women and youth
did during the revolution.
This award actually is for them.
It's to say, "you have done it.
You've struggled a lot
and a lot has happened to your
families and yourself.
Many of our friends
have passed away.
This time we will say that
we are going to continue.
We are happy for what you did
for the country.
And we are going to continue
to see democracy
and see this country
develop a full democracy
and enjoy the fruits of what has
happened since 2018."
For over 15 years, lawyers from
the DBA have been at the
forefront of defending
fundamental freedoms,
human rights, and the
rule of law.
During this time, the DBA has
represented thousands of
innocent victims of the
genocidal regime
of Omar al-Bashir
including activists, political
prisoners, and students
from the country's most
affected conflict areas.
The DBA carried out this
critical work despite grave
risks and constant threats to
their safety
and often endured arrest,
harassment, and abuse.
During the course of Sudan's
democratic revolution, they
provided pro bono legal
assistance to ensure the release
of hundreds of demonstrators
arbitrarily arrested
and abused by
the Bashir regime.
You are truly role models for
human rights and the voice of
every individual and the voice
of democracy.
Congratulations.
It is a great honor to me
personally and
also my colleagues within
Darfur Bar Association
to receive NED's 2020
Democracy Award.
On behalf of the Sudanese
people, I must say that the
NED's long time effort and
support to civil society and
also Sudan played an amazing
role in providing [for] the
need of protesters to
defeat the regime.
This award is a true testimony
of how badly we need democracy
within Sudan to enjoy our lives
as human beings on this planet.
All of us at NED attach enormous
importance to this recognition
of our awardees' contribution to
Sudan's democratic transition.
At a time of global democratic
recession when even once
stable democracies in Africa and
across the world are endangered,
Sudan's transition
offers a ray of hope
showing that 30 years of brutal
dictatorship did not crush
the spirit of the Sudanese
people but only strengthened
their commitment to core
democratic values.
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