The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Pakistan hosted its annual Human Rights Tulip Award ceremony on Tuesday, honoring individuals or organizations dedicated to promoting human rights in the country. This year's award was presented to Asad Ali Toor, a journalist recognized for his extensive reporting on critical issues such as press freedom, digital rights, and democratic rights in Pakistan.
In her speech, Ambassador Henny de Vries celebrated Pakistan’s human rights defenders, who face many challenges. She emphasized the importance of the many human rights defenders who work tirelessly to protect and promote the rights we hold dear, such as religious freedoms and freedom of expression.
Upon receiving the award, Toor stated, "Today is the biggest day of my life and career, as my work is being acknowledged by the international community. This award will not only encourage me but also make me realize the responsibility I carry from now on in the journey of reporting on the marginalized, especially those living in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and among minorities across Pakistan," he said.
The Embassy Human Rights Tulip Award includes a grant for a small human rights project to be implemented by the recipient, further supporting their valuable work in defending human rights in Pakistan.