May 12 - ERG And Unite's Independent Civil Society Awards
The ERG and Unite hosted this year’s Independent Civil Society Awards at the Garrison Library this morning.
This is the first time ERG Chairman Felix Alvarez and Unite Gibraltar Regional Officer Victor Ochello worked together to present the awards to recipients.
There were two posthumous awards that were handed over to the families of Augustin Huart and Alexei Dalmedo.
Mr Alvarez said: “There is special and fond mention of the significance and importance of Agustin Huart, OBE, JP, who died in 1965.
“His special place in the history of Gibraltar and the extraordinary contributions he made to the advancement of political, human and civil rights merit our fullest debt of honour, remembrance and respect. He is an important historical figure of note for our community.”
Receiving the award on his behalf, Damian Conroy, who wrote a biography on Mr Huart, said: “I think it is right that we recognise these characters that did so much for us in terms of civil rights and to shape the Gibraltar that we now have and enjoy.”
Similarly, the late Alexei Dalmedo, who passed away more recently in 2015, is remembered and honoured for his tireless devotion to trade unionism and the cause of humanity.
The award was collected by his daughter, Jessica, who said she was very proud of her father and his achievements and it was an honour to collect the award on his behalf.
Mr Ochello said: “Our only regret remaining is that these honours were not awarded in life.”
ERG and Unite were pleased to address the very real merits of Juan Pecino for his work on the rights of Private Sector employees, seeking equality for migrant workers, advocating for the environment, as well as in favour of tenants’ rights.
The Awards event this year focused particularly on environmentalism, and both the Environmental Safety Group (ESG) and the Gibraltar Ornithological Natural History Society (GONHS) were granted honorary plaques in recognition of their extraordinary, consistent and disciplined work and services to the community of Gibraltar.
Janet Howitt from the ESG and Albert Yome from GONHS both said that although they’re in a position where they “annoy people” in the community, they are simply holding these people to the account for the benefit of Gibraltar and its future.
This year, Mr Alvarez and Charlie Trico, from the ERG held a new awards category handed to individuals or organisations either for their positive or their less than positive contribution to Gibraltar’s society for this year.
Mr Alvarez said: “We emphasise the spirit of respect and democracy that undermines the award, its precisely because we understand the recipients of the awards are mature and respected enough to receive them. We know they are willing and able to sustain criticism and even flattery.”
The GSD parliamentary team received a Strawberry award for their forthright support for equal marriage. Minister for Employment Neil Costa also received a Strawberry award for the amendments to the employment tribunal rules and legislation.
However, Minister for Social Services and Equality Samantha Sacramento received three Sour Lemon Awards for delays in the Disability Act, for her failure to deliver on transgender documents and for the failure to reply to correspondence.
Mr Alvarez said: “Minister Sacramento has done a lot of good and important work, and I want to make that very clear. She received three lemons this year, but had it been a few years back she would have received buckets of sweet strawberries for all the good work she has done.
“But these awards reflect what is happening now, and it is the role of Civil Society to hold politicians and those in power to account.”
{fcomment}
