Applications are still open for the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union anti-award “Burdock of the Year 2008”!

The annual Ukrainian anti-award “For the Most Shameful Violation of Human Rights in Ukraine” — “Burdock of the Year” — is an annual project of the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union. The project's goal is to draw public attention to the most serious human rights violations that have occurred in the country over the past year, to name the individuals (or organisations) who committed the most egregious violations, to highlight the most dangerous trends and initiatives regarding human rights in domestic legislation or law enforcement practice, and to stimulate public discussion on human rights issues.
The “Burdock of the Year” anti-award is awarded for acts or omissions that took place in the period from 10 December to 10 December of each year.
The anti-award is presented only for acts or omissions that affect Ukrainian society and take place on the territory of Ukraine.
Categories of the anti-award:
for illegal violence against citizens;
for actions to suppress freedom of expression;
the most information-closed government body;
for gross violation of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly;
for the most egregious interference in the right to privacy;
for the most dangerous legislative initiative in the field of human rights;
for inaction in the case of a human rights violation;
for acts or omissions that led to a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and to sanctions by the European Court against Ukraine.
Every year, you point out the biggest human rights violators, and we present them with a burdock!

We remind you that the laureates of the anti-award in 2007 were:
The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine
Vasyl Mykolaiovych Hrytsak, People's Deputy of Ukraine, member of the Party of Regions, former head of the Resource Support Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
Mykola Petrovych Iltyai, First Deputy Head of the State Department for the Execution of Sentences
Vasyl Vasylovych Koshchynets, Head of the State Department of Ukraine for the Execution of Sentences
Leonid Mykhailovych Chernovetskyi, Head of the Kyiv City State Administration

Who will win the burdock this year? Let's decide together!
Deadline for submission: 1 November 2008
Read how to submit an application and the detailed terms of the anti-award here: http://helsinki.org.ua/index.php?r=a1b14