John Diefenbaker Award

The John Diefenbaker Award was introduced and created by Lawrence Cannon, previous foreign affairs minister, in 2010. Named after a prime minister who worked tirelessly for human rights recognition in Canada and across the world, John Diefenbaker, this award is presented to a person who rightfully honors his legacy. John Diefenbaker is responsible for a large portion of why the Canadian Bill of Rights was passed in 1960. Nominees for the John Diefenbaker award are considered after consulting government partners as well as organizations that are not part of government. To be considered as a nominee, your improvement and/or work for human rights is look at, as well as recommendations. The minister of foreign affairs, who oversees the award, is the one who makes the final decision for the recipient of the award. The 2014 winner of the John Diefenbaker Award was 'Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage'.

Samar Badawi is a thirty three year old Saudi Arabian woman known for being a human rights - specifically women's rights - activist. Samar was reported to be physically abused for fifteen years by her father. After filing a court case against her father, she in turn had a court case filed against her, by none other than her father, for 'disobeying'. In 2008, Samar left for a women's shelter to get away from her abusive father. For a while, Samar was in prison for these charges pressed by her father. During this time, both cases were investigated. In addition to her several arrests, Samar's father also denied her the right to marriage, one reason she fled for the first women's shelter. In late 2010, Samar was freed from prison and received a new male guardian.

Along with her past of her own issues and experiences, Samar went on to turn her experiences into a lesson and as a benefit for human rights. In the 2011-2012 Women’s Driving Campaign, Samar participated by driving herself, and helping other women drivers to deal with certain procedures. Samar has stood up to many organizations and government boards by filing charges against them for denying her access to things such as a driver’s license, just because she is a girl.

I think that Samar Badawi is deserving of the John Diefenbaker Award. Samar could have chose to abide by her father's rules, and be silent about his abuse. To me, it is important to note that she took the hard path, she rebelled, and she stood up for what she believes in. To people everywhere, Samar Badawi can stand for so much more than someone who makes speeches promoting human rights, she can, and does, stand as a marker that humans are not going to be confined by laws and people that stand in their way of living. Just like John Diefenbaker, I believe that Samar Badawi has improved the human rights movement in her own way. She works and continues to work tirelessly toward a better world. I think that Samar Badawi deserves this award because of her interest shown in change. She has attended United Nations' conferences, speeches, and campaigns. Samar has also, more importantly, improved the human rights of Saudi Arabia. Born in Saudi Arabia, I think that Samar is probably motivated through her knowing of Saudi Arabian issues. She has lived through human rights violations, which makes her a perfect advocate for the John Diefenbaker Award. In my opinion, there isn't anyone better to improve human rights than someone like Samar Badawi who know knows the issues.