• by Josh Butler (united nations)
• Wednesday, March 25, 2015
• Inter Press Service

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 25 (IPS) - Folk singer Joan Baez and Chinese artist Ai Weiwei were announced Tuesday as the winners of Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award.

Baez was recognised for her lifetime of "non-violence, and civil and human rights activism," according to Amnesty, which includes civil rights marches with Dr Martin Luther King Jr, advocacy against the death penalty, support of LGBTI campaigns, and peace campaigns in Vietnam, as well as contributing her musical talents to countless charity events.

"With her mesmerizing voice and unwavering commitment to peaceful protest and human rights for all, Joan Baez has been a formidable force for good over more than five decades," said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

Weiwei is a well-known and outspoken critic of the Chinese government, with his work exploring human rights and prison.

Weiwei was incarcerated and beaten by officials before he was due to testify during the trial of an environmental activist in 2008, then held without charge for over 80 days in 2011.

"Through his work Ai Weiwei reminds us that the right of every individual to express their self must be protected—not just for the sake of society, but also for art and humanity," Shetty said.

The Ambassador of Conscience Award is Amnesty International's top honour. It recognises "those who have shown exceptional leadership in the fight for human rights, through their life and work," according to the organisation.

Both Weiwei and Baez expressed thanks at the announcement.

"I am very privileged to receive this special honour, and shall not fail the encouragement and profound expectation of me with this Award," Weiwei said.

"Amnesty International attracted me because of its founding principle that all human rights abuses and the suffering they create are unacceptable," Baez said.

"The process of eliminating those abuses, even one step at a time, has created a compassionate, non-partisan, powerfully effective movement. I'm lucky to be part of it and proud to be honored with this Award."

The awards will be officially presented in Berlin on May 21.

Follow Josh Butler on Twitter @JoshButler

© Inter Press Service (2015) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service

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