Vitali Klitschko wins human rights award
The mayor of Kyiv will be presented with the Franz Werfel Human Rights Award in Frankfurt today. The speech in his honour will be given by Defence Minister Pistorius.
Frankfurt/Main (dpa) - Vitali Klitschko (photo), the mayor of Kyiv and former world-class boxer, will be presented with the 2025 Franz Werfel Human Rights Award at St. Paul’s Church in Frankfurt today.
The speech in his honour is to be given by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. Hesse state premier Boris Rhein, under whose auspices the event will be taking place, has also promised to attend.
Explaining its decision, the jury said that the award paid tribute to Klitschko’s tireless commitment to freedom, democracy and human rights, both in Ukraine and beyond. “This honouring of Vitali Klitschko is an important sign of solidarity with all those around the world who fight for their rights and freedom,” the jury statement continued.
The 53-year-old former professional boxer has been mayor of the Ukrainian capital since 2014.
Endowed with 10,000 euros, the Franz Werfel Human Rights Award is presented every two years by the Wiesbaden-based Stiftung Zentrum gegen Vertreibungen (Centre against Expulsions Foundation).