The Spanish Human Rights Observatory presents the Catalejo Awards 2023

After a conference dedicated to analysing the role of the armed forces in conflicts, the Spanish Human Rights Observatory (ODHE) presented the Catalejo 2023 Awards at the European University Miguel de Cervantes (Valladolid).

In this second edition of the Catalejo Awards, the winning initiatives or associations were Mutitaa, Fundación Cris contra el cáncer, Sabias de Kakuma of the Camilo José Cela University Foundation, the Spanish University Debate League for young people with intellectual disabilities, the Barcelona Swimming Club for water polo ability and the Red cátedra iberoamericana de Educación para los Derechos Humanos. 

"This wheelchair has given training, dignity and work", declared Miguel Morales, one of Mutitaa's volunteers, pointing to the association's logo after receiving the award. Mutitaa, a Buddhist term meaning to rejoice in the good that happens to others, works for the inclusion of people with disabilities in Cambodia, especially landmine victims.

Another of the winning initiatives, Fundación Cris contra el cáncer, aims to promote and finance research projects for the treatment and cure of cancer. "Cris is a masculine and feminine name that encompasses all the people who fight against cancer," said Marta Redondo, a representative of the organisation.

The Camilo José Cela University Foundation received the award for the Sabias de Kakuma project, an initiative that collaborates with Women for Africa and UNHCR to train and support the careers of female Kenyan refugee teachers. 

The Spanish University Debate League for young people with intellectual disabilities was awarded for a programme that promotes the presence of people with disabilities in the active part of society through debate and dialogue. 

For its part, the Barcelona Swimming Club for water polo ability, works to bring this sport closer to people with different physical disabilities.

Esther Prieto, director of the Ibero-American Chair Network for Human Rights Education, highlighted the value of this project after receiving the award, underlining "its role in human rights training and education".

The winning associations do not work for a prize, but for social work. However, public recognition is always important, which encourages them to continue their work where it is needed. "We go forward for the award-winning organisations, the best of our country", stressed Mario Rigau, director of the ODHE. Rigau recalled "the time and effort" dedicated by the associations, pointing out that their example "should motivate us to continue working for human rights".

In addition to the awards ceremony, the ODHE presented an insignia of appreciation to several people who have supported the organisation's actions, such as Justo Velardos, general director of the Casino de Gran Vía in Madrid; Alejandro Fernández, president of the Partido Popular de Cataluña; Raquel Alonso, territorial delegate of the Junta de Castilla y León; and Conrado Íscar, president of the Diputación de Valladolid.

The closing of the conference "The armed forces in the international framework of humanitarian law" and the subsequent presentation of awards was given by Joaquín Blanco, deputy colonel of Defence; Conrado Íscar, president of the Provincial Council of Valladolid; and Jesús Julio Carnero, Minister of the Presidency of the Regional Government of Castile and León.

To close the day dedicated to the role of the armed forces, Joaquín Blanco praised Spain's security and defence forces. "With the war in Ukraine, we have realised that societies need a trained and strong Armed Forces in order to be able to live in safety," he said.

Conrado Íscar agreed with the colonel, stressing that "Spanish society as a whole owes a debt of gratitude to the Spanish Armed Forces". Jesús Julio Carnero expressed himself in the same way, assuring that all Spaniards "should be proud of the Armed Forces for complying with the Constitution with wisdom and sensitivity".