2007 Person of the Year [Archives:2008/1119/Viewpoint]
Editor
Every year, the Yemen Times chooses an individual to receive its Person of the Year award in recognition of his or her efforts. The criteria are that the person should be successful in his or her personal life, as well as done something substantial for his or her community, even if on a small scale.
The 2007 Person of the Year is Member of Parliament Ahmed Saif Hashed. A member of Parliament's Human Rights Committee, he has established an organization called Change, which seeks to defend human rights in Yemen. He also is publisher of Al-Mustaqila newspaper and a member of a civil society coalition called Itilaf.
Hashed is one of few Yemeni advocates who were quite active throughout 2007 in defending human rights, being subjected to various abuses and harassments as a consequence.
As a lawyer and military college graduate, Hashed knows the inner workings of the system, which helps him in human rights battles against influential individuals or dictatorial authorities.
The author of much research, he currently is working on a book about the simple minded in Yemen. It is an analytical publication including interviews with everyday Yemenis.
We believe that by recognizing Hashed's efforts and achievements in human rights, we are playing a role in promoting the cause of freedoms in Yemen.
Our choice this year is an attempt to draw national and international attention to this activist who, despite being a member of Parliament, is being harassed continuously by the authorities and those individuals opposing freedom and human rights.
His mission to advocate freedoms in Yemen is in line with the Yemen Times' own mission. As we highlight his character, we would like to lobby both national and international support to assist us in this cause.
In these turbulent times, many brave men and women have left our nation, abandoned the cause or died for it. This is why we should recognize and appreciate the few who still are trying.
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