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Dear Friends, You are most welcome to submit your nominations of Candidates to the 13. edition of the Polish Prize of Sérgio Vieira de Mello, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2002-2003).  Applications containing Candidates’ profiles should be completed online by 30 June 2016 at: www.mello.villa.org.pl or http://mello.villa.org.pl/?q=en.

The announcement of results and the Gala of awarding the Prize to the Laureates will take place on 20 October 2016 at Villa Decius.

The Polish Prize of Sérgio Vieira de Mello – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2002-2003) was established upon the initiative of the Villa Decius Association in 2003.

The Prize is awarded to Persons and Non-governmental organizations from all over the world for their activities enhancing peaceful co-existence and cooperation of societies, religions and cultures.

The Laurates are selected by the Panel of Judges composed of High Representatives of: the President of the Republic of Poland, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil to Poland, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Poland, Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Institute of National Remembrance, Polish Commissioner for Civil Rights Protection, Consulates and Foundations supporting actions of the Villa Decius Association in matters related to human rights, Founders of the Prize, Chairman and Director of the Villa Decius Association.

Laureates of the Prize since 2004:

2004: Tadeusz Mazowiecki (Poland) and ‘One World’ Association (Poland);

2005: Father Marian Żelazek SVD (India) and Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe (Poland);

2006: Alaksandr Milinkiewicz (Belarus) and Jewish Culture Festival (Poland);

2007: Maryna Hulia (Russian Federation) and Magurycz Association (Poland);

2008: Krystyna Pryjomko-Serafin (United Kingdom) and Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (Poland); Honorary Prize went to Szewach Weiss (Izrael) and Distinction to Michał Żejmis (Poland);

2009: Fatos Lubonja (Albania) and United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (Iraq); Honorary Prize went to Leopold Unger (Belgium-Poland):

2010: Nagy El-Khoury and Mohammad al-Nokkari (Lebanon), and ‘Memorial’ Association (Russian Federation); Honorary Prize went to Late Andrzej Przewoźnik (Poland);

2011: Hassan Omar Hassan (Kenya) and Halina Niec Legal Aids Centre (Poland); Honorary Prize went to Bernard Kouchner (France);

2012: Sister Rafael – Urszula Nałęcz (Rwanda-Poland) and ‘People in Need’ Association (Czech Republic); Honorary Prize went to Arnold Wellman (USA);

2013: Myrosław Marynowicz (Ukraine) and Denis Hurley Centre (Republic of South Africa); Honorary Prize went to Adam Daniel Rotfeld (Poland);

2014: Leyla Yunus (Azerbaijan) and Amalipe Center for Interethnic Dialogue and Tolerance (Bulgaria);

2015: Pietro Bartolo (Italy) and La Strada Foundation against Trafficking in Persons and Slavery (Poland); Honorary Prize went to Sergey Kovalev (Russian Federation).