“We were very sensitive to the quality of the project, which is very well constructed and supported by two associations whose professionalism and presence in the country are well established. The price wanted to reward a project that aims to meet the basic needs of LGBTQI people in Albania by remedying the shortcomings of public action.”

The jury of the National Advisory Commission of Human Rights, (CNCDH)

About CNCDH

Streha received the 2022 Human Rights Awards from the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) on the eve of International Human Rights Day.

Streha is one of five organizations chosen from 140 candidates to receive the Award as recognition for the “Promotion and Protection of Sexual and Reproductive Rights” on the eve of its 8th birthday, becoming the first Albanian organization to get awarded with this prestigious prize.

Founded in 1947, on the initiative of René Cassin, “Nobel Peace Prize” winner, the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights (CNCDH) is the national institution for the protection and promotion of human rights in France, accredited at the United Nations. Intended to reward actions in the field and projects, individual or collective, relating to the effective protection and promotion of human rights, this prize is awarded in Paris on December 10 of each year, on the occasion of Human Rights Day proclaimed by the United Nations.

CNCDH performs completely independently, vis-à-vis with the Government and the Parliament of the French Republic, pursuing a mission of advice and proposal in the field of human rights, law and humanitarian action, and a mission of monitoring compliance by France with its commitments in this regard. 

It also plays an important role in human rights education. The CNCDH bases its action on three main principles: independence, pluralism and vigilance. 

The Human Rights Award

The Human Rights Prize of the French Republic “Liberty – Equality – Fraternity” was created in 1988, at the instigation of the CNCDH. The objective of this prize is to recognize the fundamental role of civil society in the promotion and protection of human rights throughout the world.

Thus, since its creation, both non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individual actors have been awarded this distinction, regardless of nationality or borders.

Each year, the CNCDH launches a call for applications at the end of May/beginning of June, specifying the theme(s) of the year. A Jury, made up of ten members of the CNCDH and important institutions in France, select the five winners and the five “special mentions” of the Human Rights Prize of the French Republic. The winners are selected based on the field actions they have carried out, as well as the projects they intend to develop.

For the 2022 edition of the Prize, a single theme was proposed: “Sexual and reproductive rights: protection of the rights of LGBTQIA+ people and the fight against gender inequalities.”

Streha presented the project “Preventing and responding to HIV infection to LGBTQI Community in Albania and Albanian speaking region in Western Balkans”, as it represents at best Streha’s ongoing efforts to help the LGBTQI community’s empowerment and well-being as well as the promotion and effective protection of human rights aligned with the award’s topic this year.

Mrs. Isabelle Lonvis-Rome, Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister in charge of Gender Equality, Diversity, and Equal Opportunities, and Mr. Jean-Marie Burguburu, President of the CNCDH, awarded the five winning organizations, including Streha, on Friday, December 9.

Streha’s representatives attended the awarding ceremony, where they also held meetings with members of the jury, the Ambassador for LGBTQI issues in France, representatives of “Amnesty International” and the Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister. It was a great opportunity for us to meet with different actors involved in the promotion of LGBTI+ rights around the world, and at the same time give our contribution in advocating for the rights of the LGBTQI community in Albania and promoting the work that Streha carries out in this direction.

The Streha representatives were also able to share their experiences with the other award winners, who had also had a fantastic experience with LGBTQI issues in their respective countries.

The award and implementation of the project are critical to our organization and all of the individuals we support. This award recognizes the efforts made in Albania to ensure that people living with HIV have continuous access to the examinations they require to maintain their quality of life, lower the rate of new infections, and allow for the free provision of examinations as part of the standard treatment protocol.

We dedicate this award to all HIV-positive people whose lives are still at risk in Albania, as well as to all the young people in Albania and the Albanian-speaking regions of the Western Balkans who have succeeded in coping with the HIV disease’s stigma and challenges.