Liberty Victoria's Sophie Trevitt Human Rights Award Winner
Submitted by admin on Thu, 05/09/2024 - 09:37
This year's winner of the Sophie Trevitt Human Rights Award is Samara Fernandez-Brown, a Warlpiri woman from Yuendumu who has represented her family in their long running battle for justice and reform after her cousin, Kumanjayi Walker, was shot and killed by police in the Northern Territory in 2019. Samara became a leader of the Justice For Walker campaign throughout the criminal trial and coronial inquest. She continues to advocate for the prevention of Indigenous deaths in custody as the “Stop Black Deaths in Custody Campaigner” at the Dhadjowa Foundation, a national grassroots organisation that’s been established to provide strategic, coordinated and culturally appropriate support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families whose loved ones have died in custody.
The Sophie Trevitt Award (formerly the Young Voltaire) is awarded to someone no older than 30 at the date of their nomination for an outstanding contribution to or action on free speech, human rights and/or civil liberties, with particular emphasis on progressing freedom, respect, equality and dignity. It celebrates those who speak out, write, campaign, whistle-blow, take action or a stand against authoritarianism.
Liberty Victoria applauds the strength and resilience Samara has shown in her long and deeply personal fight for justice and the protection of other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as well as her ongoing commitment to tangible change and healing.
Please join us to celebrate at the Voltaire Awards Dinner on November 15th, 2024.
