Youth Initiative for Human Rights and “Omas Gegen Rechts” Win Aachen Peace Prize

On Sunday, September 1, in the German city of Aachen, Youth Initiative for Human Rights and Grandmas Against Far Right (Omas Gegen Rechts) were honored with the Aachen Peace Prize.

The names of the associations and collectives receiving this year’s award were announced on May 15, 2024. Since 1988, the Aachen Peace Prize has been awarded by a civic initiative from the residents of Aachen. The award is based on the belief that peace is more than just the absence of war. Each year, it recognizes collectives that work tirelessly to build peace in their communities by combating discrimination, violence, and hostility.

The Aachen organizers held a press conference where the award winners spoke to the media before the ceremony and then arranged a tour of Aachen’s landmarks. The group visited the Cathedral and the Town Hall, where Aachen’s mayor, Sibylle Keupen—who is the first woman to hold this office since its establishment in 1815—extended a warm welcome.

The opening ceremony featured a short concert, followed by speeches from the organizers and the mayor of Aachen. In her speech, the mayor highlighted the importance of solidarity, connection, and support for groups that work tirelessly to bring people together in post-conflict societies. She reflected on Germany’s experience after World War II and reminded the audience of important lessons from the past that help us strengthen our democracies.

The organizers specifically addressed the unlawful detentions of the Initiative’s director, noting that the most recent detention occurred during her trip to Germany to receive this peace prize, which had been made public. The repressive actions of Serbian authorities towards human rights defenders also drew criticism from the German Bundestag. Parliament members Boris Mijatović (German Green Party) and Thomas Hacker (Free Democratic Party, FDP) publicly condemned these actions.

During the ceremony, short videos showcased the work of this year’s award winners, and journalist Arne Semsrott provided a brief overview of the honored organizations.

Sofija Todorović and Mila Pajić accepted the award on behalf of the Youth Initiative for Human Rights.

“It is a great honor to be here with you tonight. Thank you for this important recognition on behalf of the young people across the region who have made the Youth Initiative for Human Rights what it is for over 20 years,” said Sofija Todorović, the director of the Initiative in Serbia. She emphasized the critical role of combating nationalism, which must accompany efforts to address past injustices, as this is essential for the countries of former Yugoslavia and the Western Balkans to build states where peace and democracy go hand in hand.

“This award belongs to all our activists and allies; the fight for peace is a struggle of all generations. Our region, both geographically and historically, is part of Europe, and the Initiative strongly supports the process of joining the European Union. For us, Europe represents more than just a collection of states; it is a peace project based on shared values.”

Mila Pajić, a program assistant and activist, stressed that this award is for all young activists who, together with the Initiative, strive for a society where solidarity, not hatred, prevails. She noted that in an authoritarian regime, it can be challenging to uphold values of reconciliation and trust, but there are young people in the region who are not afraid to boldly declare, “I am for peace.”

Jutta Shaikh, a member of “Omas Gegen Rechts,” commented on the current political climate in Germany and expressed concern about the rise of the far right and the results of the recent elections in Eastern Germany. She highlighted how nationalist approaches from far-right parties can threaten minorities and stated, “People must never again be divided based on skin color, origin, religion, or gender identity—minorities must never face discrimination again.”

“Omas Gegen Rechts” remains resolute in their mission to counter the spread of hatred. They are frequently involved in major protests against the far right and organize various activities to educate young people about the dangers of nationalism and division. Regina Steffan, one of the members, explained at the Aachen Peace Prize ceremony that “Omas Gegen Rechts” is a non-partisan organization that rejects all forms of extremism. “We raise our voices against hatred and violence; we want our children to live in peace,” she said.

The news of the award was covered by local Aachen media as well as numerous other outlets in Germany. Along with the award, which includes a monetary prize of 2000 euros, the Initiative will use the funds for its regional peace activities. A full recording of the ceremony is available on YouTube.