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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


 
 
Pro Bono Work Recognized at 2009 Human Rights Awards Dinner
 
Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN (June 2, 2009) – The Advocates for Human Rights will host its annual Human Rights Awards Dinner on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 from 4:30 to 8:45 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. The theme of this year’s event will be: Is the World Watching? The Women of Afghanistan and Sudan.
 
The Advocates will present four Twin Cities attorneys with Special Recognition Awards for their work to envision and undertake The Advocates’ groundbreaking work with the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission Diaspora Project. Dulce Foster, Dianne Heins, Mark Kalla, and Jim O’Neal, all members of The Advocates’ Liberian TRC Project Management Team, are being recognized for providing leadership, energy, and vision through hundreds of hours of pro bono assistance. By spearheading this groundbreaking international effort, Ms. Foster, Ms. Heins, Mr. Kalla, and Mr. O’Neal mobilized hundreds of volunteers and leveraged millions of dollars in resources within their firms and the legal community, ensuring that the voices of the Liberian diaspora were included in the peacebuilding process of their home country.
Also being recognized at the event are Anne Lockner, Jeffrey Larson, and Patrick Finnegan, who were each honored earlier this year with a 2009 Volunteer Award for their outstanding pro bono services to asylum seekers. As a volunteer-based organization, The Advocates relies on the generosity and commitment of the over 1,000 volunteers whose work builds respect for human rights. Ms. Lockner, Mr. Larson, and Mr. Finnegan all contributed greatly to the process of securing safety for individuals fleeing persecution in their home countries. Ms. Lockner and Mr. Larson provided pro bono representation to clients, and Mr. Finnegan provided pro bono translation services.
The schedule for the evening’s events include a cocktail reception with Dr. Sima Samar – recipient of this year’s Don and Arvonne Fraser Human Rights Award and keynote speaker – silent and live auctions, the general reception, and the dinner program at which all awards will be distributed and honorees recognized.
For more information or to reserve space at this event, please call The Advocates or visit our website at www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org.
 


Robin Phillips                                                                Sarah Herder
Executive Director                                                        Development and Communications Director
(w) 612-341-3302, ext. 109 (c) 612-386-3032                 (w) 612-341-3302, ext. 126 (c) 612-227-0405
rphillips@advrights.org                                                   sherder@advrights.org
 
The Advocates for Human Rights is a non-governmental, 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of internationally recognized human rights. With the help of over 600 volunteers, The Advocates investigates and exposes human rights violations; represents immigrants and refugees in our community who are victims of human rights abuses, trains and assists groups that protect human rights; and works through education and advocacy to engage the public, policy makers and children about human rights and cultural understanding. The Advocates for Human Rights holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations.