European partnership for democracy, EPD

Democracy Activists Recognised

Jan Marinus Wiersma, a long-standing Dutch MEP, has been awarded in his home country for services to European democracy. Mr Marinus Wiersma has spent much of the last twenty years  as an MEP  actively supporting Central and Eastern European nations as they build and maintain proper democratic systems of governance. Indeed, his commitment continues to this day, such that he had to accept his award in a film due to ongoing business in Central Europe. The film reflected on Europe's democratic transition over his time in office and can be viewed here. Also recognised was Kenyan human rights defender Njeri Kabeberi for her outstanding efforts to reunite her country after the division and violence that followed the 2008 general election. Read more about her work here or view photos of the event in the EPD's gallery.