UK and others announce that the recipient of the 2025 Democracy Defenders Award is the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association.
The Democracy Defenders Award recognises the contribution civil society makes to promoting democracy in the OSCE region. The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA) has been tireless in its efforts to protect democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and due process for Georgians since 1994.
On behalf of the delegations of Canada, Denmark, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, I would like to inform the Permanent Council of the following matter.聽
In 2016, the Democracy Defender Award was established to recognize the enormous contribution civil society makes to defending and promoting democracy in the OSCE region.聽 The Award honours outstanding contributions to upholding the principles of the Helsinki Final Act.聽
In keeping with this tradition, and as we mark 50 years since the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, we are pleased to announce that the recipient of the 2025 Award is the Georgian Young Lawyers鈥� Association.聽
The Georgian Young Lawyers鈥� Association (GYLA) has been tireless in its efforts to protect democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and due process for Georgians since 1994 and is one of the largest and most respected human rights organizations in Georgia.聽聽聽
The Democracy Defender Award Presentation and Seminar will take place on April 8th.聽聽
In addition to the official presentation of the 2025 Democracy Defender Award, the Seminar, featuring a panel of expert speakers, will focus on the topic of shrinking civic space in the OSCE area.聽聽
Invitations have been distributed, and we encourage your response and attendance.