Putin presents state awards for achievements in human rights, charity

Kremlin and Saint Basil's File Photo

MOSCOW. Dec 8 (Interfax) – Russian President Vladimir Putin handed over state awards for outstanding achievements in the field of charity and human rights activities for the first time in the Kremlin on Thursday.

In September 2015, the president signed a decree establishing the award in the field of charitable and human rights activities in Russia from January 1, 2016. According to the decree, the awards in the amount of 2.5 million rubles each will be given annually in December.

The winner of the first state award in the field of human rights activity is Yelizaveta Glinka, executive director of the international public organization Spravedlivaya Pomoshch (Fair Aid). Alexander Tkachenko general director of the autonomous non-profit organization Children’s Hospice, became the recipient of the first state award in the field of charity.

According to the decree on state awards, these awards “are the highest recognition of achievements of individuals carrying out human rights and charitable activities before the society and the state.”

The award for outstanding achievements in the field of human rights activities is presented to individuals engaged in active and productive public work aimed at protection of rights and freedoms of persons and citizens and strengthening and development of institutions of civil society, which gained wide social recognition in Russia.

“The state award for outstanding achievements in the field of charitable activities is handed over to individuals engaged in active and productive public work aimed at forming a culture of charity, philanthropy, volunteer services, providing free aid to those who need it, which gained wide social recognition in Russia,” the document said.

A specially created public commission comprising two representatives per Russian human rights commissioner, the Public Chamber and the presidential Council for development of civil society and human rights presents provisions on the awards to the president.

In addition to them, the commission includes three human rights commissioners for Russia’s constituent entities and three representatives of the public chambers for Russia’s constituent entities.

A recipient of the state award is given a relevant honorary title. The awards have a personal nature and are given annually; they cannot be handed over to a person already holding this award repeatedly.

 

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