HUMAN RIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE 2015
The Human Rights Photography Prize 2015 was awarded in partnership with the The Lausanne Canton School of Art (ECAL), Art Bärtschi & Cie and Human Rights Watch.
"FREEDOM OF SPEECH"
Freedom of speech is a fundamental right central to democratic political systems and seemed, for many, evident until the tragic events which hit Paris at the beginning of the year. The attacks against Charlie Hebdo have provoked an international uproar on the issue. It has exposed the limits of its application and the divergences regarding its interpretation. This freedom is dependent on a variety of factors such as law, politics, culture and religion, which shape its practice and make its implementation, at times problematic. The case of the Saudi blogger, Raïf Badawi, sentenced to public flogging after criticising his government and expressing his opinion on Islam, is another example highlighting the complexity of this issue. It raises important questions such as: how far does this rights stretch? Where are its limits? How is it understood? In what ways should we ensure compliance to freedom of speech today?
Freedom of speech is a fundamental right central to democratic political systems and seemed, for many, evident until the tragic events which hit Paris at the beginning of the year. The attacks against Charlie Hebdo have provoked an international uproar on the issue. It has exposed the limits of its application and the divergences regarding its interpretation. This freedom is dependent on a variety of factors such as law, politics, culture and religion, which shape its practice and make its implementation, at times problematic. The case of the Saudi blogger, Raïf Badawi, sentenced to public flogging after criticising his government and expressing his opinion on Islam, is another example highlighting the complexity of this issue. It raises important questions such as: how far does this rights stretch? Where are its limits? How is it understood? In what ways should we ensure compliance to freedom of speech today?
JURY MEMBERS
- Marcus Bleasdale, photojournalist, VII Agency, London
- Peter Bouckaert, Director, Emergency Division, Human Rights Watch, Geneva
- Tatyana Franck, Director, Musée de l'Elysée, Lausanne (President)
- Alexis Georgacopoulos, Director, Lausanne Canton School of Art, Lausanne
- Jude Hull, Specialist, Photography Department, Christie’s, London
