Entering its 13th year, the annual Human Rights Press Awards (HRPA) which is jointly organised by Amnesty International Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Journalist Association and the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, is Asia’s most prestigious awards that recognise outstanding journalists who contribute to heighten awareness of human rights issues and increase respect for the basic rights of all people. A total of 12 Award Plaques and 27 Certificates of Merits were presented this year.

Participants of the Human Rights News Commentary Contest are given the opportunity to submit a commentary on one or more of the chosen winning entries listed below, which reflects their ideas and their understandings of human rights. The application form can also be downloaded below.

This activity aims to enhance participants’ knowledge and understanding of international affairs and human rights news exposure, develop their objectivity, and encourage participation and raise social consciousness.

CATEGORIES (SIX IN TOTAL)

Junior Secondary (Secondary 1-3, Grade 7-9)
Senior Secondary (Secondary 4, Grade 10 and above)
Public (Anyone who does not fall into the above categories)
Each category will be subdivided into Chinese and English streams.

PRIZES

Winners of each category will receive
Outstanding prize ×1 a certificate and prize worth HKD3,000
Merit ×2 a certificate

PANEL OF JUDGES

Simon Shen
Founding Chancellor of the Roundtable Network

Serenade Woo
Executive Committee member of Amnesty International Hong Kong, International Federation of Journalists (China and Hong Kong ) project coordinator

Mio Debnam
Writer and editor, Regional Advisor of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Hong Kong Chapter

Armin Kalyanram
Executive Committee member of Amnesty International Hong Kong

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

1. The language used in the commentary should be the same as that of the piece of news being commented.

2. Commentaries can be handwritten or typewritten.

3. Word limit (Contestants please state the word count)
Junior Secondary 200-500 words
Senior Secondary and Public 500-800 words

4. Contestants should complete the entry form and return it with your commentary to our office:
Amnesty International Hong Kong 32-36 Ferry Street #3D,
Jordan (Human Rights News Commentary Contest)

If sent by mail, all entries should be postmarked by June 12, 2009 to be eligible; OR
send them by email to admin-hk@amnesty.org.hk, stating “Human Rights News Commentary Contest” in the title.

NOTICE TO CONTESTANTS

1. Contestants can submit an unlimited number of entries. However, if more than one entry is selected, only one prize will be given to the entry winning the highest honor.

2. Amnesty International Hong Kong reserves the right to edit, publish, copy, and use the entries without royalties or any monetary rewards/compensation to the contestants.

3. The commentary must be an original work by the contestant and must not violate or infringe on the rights of any third party.

4. Entries will not be returned to contestants, regardless of the results.

5. Amnesty International Hong Kong shall not be responsible for any loss, delay, or damage to the commentaries during delivery.

6. Amnesty International Hong Kong reserves the final rights to interpretation of the rules.

7. Entries will be judged based upon writing style, relevancy with the piece of news and demonstration of critical thinking. The decisions of the judges with respect to the selection of the winner and with regard to all matters relating to this Contest shall be final.

8. The winner will be informed by e-mail and phone. The winning entries will also be published on our website after July 10, 2009.

NEWS STORIES TO BE COMMENDED

English

"Birth Rights" (1.08Mb)
© Sinopix Photo Agency Limited

"Death in childbirth: A health scourage for Afghanistan" (1.08Mb)
© Reuters

"Beijing's protest zones: Apply at your own risk" (176Kb)
© International Herald Tribune

"Myanmar - where fear, neglect and paranoia are costing lives" (2.02Mb)
© South China Morning Post

"Malaysia's Authoritarian Resurgence" 
© The Far Eastern Economic Review

Chinese

「學者聯署《08憲章》籲中共憲改遭打壓」 (4.53Mb)
© Apple Daily

「怒民憤青踐踏言論自由」 (2.74Mb)
© Apple Daily

「苦巴巴：我諗唔明。。。」 (10.38Mb)
© Apple Daily

「5 裸照評級 3 不雅 2 淫褻」 (1.78Mb)
© Ming Pao

「戒嚴下的奧運」 (1.49Mb)
© Open Magazine