Head of Journalists' Syndicate Receives Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award from Canadian 'Unifor' Union

Sada News - The head of the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate, Nasser Abu Bakr, received the Nelson Mandela Human Rights Award, which was granted by the Canadian 'Unifor' union to the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate during its constitutional conference in Vancouver, Canada.

This is the highest honor awarded by the union, in recognition of the courageous and continuous field coverage by Palestinian journalists of the aggression against Gaza despite all the risks and threats they face.

National President of 'Unifor', Lana Payne, stated: "We are proud to present this award to the syndicate for the amazing work they do and the sacrifices they make to ensure the world knows the truth about what is happening in Gaza."

She added: "Journalists are in constant danger as they strive to report on the crimes and atrocities committed against Palestinians. They show tremendous courage in continuing their work despite bombs, bullets, and famine."

Abu Bakr said: "It is an honor to have the work of our colleagues recognized... Journalists in Gaza are telling the story to the world, and unfortunately, many of them have become the story themselves as the number of victims continues to rise... These brave journalists are the only witnesses to the atrocities, including starvation, amid Israel's prevention of foreign media, all in the pursuit of revealing the truth and conveying these important stories."

Payne confirmed that 'Unifor' continues to condemn the killing of journalists in Gaza, including the martyrdom of 6 journalists when Israeli occupation aircraft targeted Nasser Medical Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people, including five journalists working for Reuters, the Associated Press, Palestine TV, Al Jazeera, and other institutions.

Earlier this month, Anas Al-Sharif and Muhammad Qariqa from Al Jazeera, and photographers Ibrahim Zahir and Muhammad Nofal were martyred in an Israeli bombing that targeted their media tent near one of Gaza's hospitals. Independent photographer Moamen Aliwa and independent journalist Muhammad Khalidi were also martyred in the same attack.

'Unifor' affirmed that targeting journalists is a war crime and a blatant attack on press freedom, calling on the International Criminal Court to conduct a full investigation into these crimes and hold the Israeli government accountable.

Payne stated: "We condemn the systematic killings of Palestinian journalists, which are occurring at a time when Israel is preparing to take control of Gaza while the famine crisis worsens."

She added: "'Unifor' continues to pressure the Canadian government to take urgent action to end the genocide in Palestine through an immediate and permanent ceasefire."

The syndicate noted that this award highlights the harsh conditions under which Palestinian journalists and media workers continue to operate, strengthens their resolve to continue their field mission, and simultaneously honors those who have sacrificed everything, including their lives, for their message and their right to press freedom.

It is worth mentioning that 'Unifor' is the largest private sector union in Canada, representing 320,000 workers in various economic sectors, advocating for the rights of all workers, and fighting for equality and social justice in Canada and beyond, striving for progressive changes for a better future.