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Howard Wilkinson and Daphne Caruana Galizia Jointly Awarded 2020 Allard Prize
Danske Bank whistleblower, Howard Wilkinson and the late investigative journalist, Daphne Caruana Galizia, were jointly awarded the 2020 Allard Prize for International Integrity at a virtual ceremony held today. The $100,000 prize is one of the world’s largest awards recognizing leadership and courage in protecting human rights while promoting transparency and the Rule of Law and combatting corruption. As joint recipients, Ms. Caruana Galizia and Mr. Wilkinson were both awarded $50,000 prizes. Howard Wilkinson worked at Danske Bank in the Baltic Trading Unit when he discovered suspicious activity in bank records. Ultimately, he uncovered one of the largest money laundering schemes in history, worth over 200 billion Euros. The scandal led to several criminal charges across Europe, the resignation of Danske Bank’s CEO, and Danske Bank was forced to end operations in Estonia. Despite risks to Wilkinson’s safety, he used his platform to advocate for greater whistleblower protections before the European Parliament. “Whistleblowers play a very important role in exposing wrongdoing that is otherwise hard to detect. But all too often whistleblowers are made to suffer for what they have done,” said Mr. Wilkinson. “I am honoured to receive the Allard Prize. It sends an important message that whistleblowing is important and that whistleblowers should be valued in building the sort of society we all want to live in.” Daphne Caruana Galizia was a Maltese blogger and journalist; she investigated and uncovered rampant corruption and criminality in Malta’s ruling class. One of her last investigations revealed that several high-ranking government officials owned secret shell companies in Panama; the officials also had ties to another offshore company whose owner had won a lucrative government contract. Caruana Galizia faced regular threats and acts of violence due to her work, but she refused to be silenced. She was assassinated on October 16th, 2017. Her family created the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation to continue her legacy and to support and protect investigative journalists. “Receiving the Allard Prize for International Integrity on behalf of our wife and mother, Daphne Caruana Galizia is both humbling and encouraging,” said Daphne’s family. “It not only recognises her work in exposing corruption and defending the public’s right to know, it also recognises that Daphne should be celebrated for everyone’s sake, because her example of courage, integrity, and humour are so badly needed today and will be for many years to come. We hope that the honour itself will inspire those who have taken up Daphne’s work to never give up and that it will encourage others to take up the fight against corruption and abuse of power.” “We are honoured to present the 2020 Allard Prize jointly to Daphne Caruana Galizia and Howard Wilkinson, in recognition of their leadership and commitment to protecting human rights and combatting corruption,” said Peter Allard. “Their stories of integrity and courage inspire all of us to effect positive change in pursuit of a more just and transparent world.” The other finalist, the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), received an Honourable Mention award. The Commission operated in Guatemala for 12 years and helped prosecute over 120 cases. CICIG also pursued critical reforms to improve accountability measures, strengthening citizens’ trust in domestic judicial institutions. Backgrounder About the Allard Prize for International Integrity Established in October 2012 and funded by Mr. Peter A. Allard, Q.C. through The Allard Prize Foundation, the Allard Prize for International Integrity is awarded to an individual, group or organization that has demonstrated exceptional leadership and courage in the protection of human rights, while upholding the Rule of Law, promoting transparency and/or preventing or combating corruption. The Allard Prize is administered by The Allard Prize Foundation and steered by the Allard Prize Committee, in consultation with the Allard Prize Advisory Board, composed of members of the anti-corruption and human rights communities worldwide. Learn more: www.allardprize.org. The Allard Prize Committee Robert W. King, Principal, Westbridge Capital Group Geoff Lyster, Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP Richard Olson, Retired The Allard Prize Advisory Board Ms. Eva Joly \ Member of the European Parliament; Brussels, Belgium Lawyer at the Paris Bar Paul Radu Executive Director Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project Dr. Comfort Ero Program Director Africa International Crisis Group Mr. Kol Preap Executive Director Transparency International Cambodia Dr. Marianne I. Camerer, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. Programme Director, Graduate School of Development Policy and Practice University of Cape Town Professor Susan Rose-Ackerman, B.A., Ph.D. Henry R. Luce Professor of Jurisprudence Law and Political Science Yale University Allard Prize Photography Competition The Allard Prize Committee also oversees the Photography Competition, which recognizes photographic excellence reflecting the ideals of the Allard Prize. Each winning entrant receives a C$1,000 cash prize and is featured on the Allard Prize website. Up to six photographs are selected every six months. Learn more: https://www.allardprize.org/photography-competition Peter A. Allard, Q.C. Throughout his career as a lawyer and businessman, Peter Allard has assumed leadership roles in human rights, environmental advocacy and other philanthropic work. Mr. Allard graduated from the University of British Columbia with a B.A. in History in 1968, and a LL.B. in 1971. After graduation, Mr. Allard practiced law and participated in various business enterprises. In 1993, he established the Highbury Foundation, which has assisted medical communities in B.C. and Alberta with support for research and the purchase of medical equipment. The Highbury Foundation has also made significant donations to colleges and universities across Western Canada for scholarships and building needs, and to a broad variety of other charities including those engaged in the arts, environmental protection, animal protection, food support and community services, including the YMCA. Mr. Allard’s transformational gifts to the University of British Columbia in support of its law school resulted in the re-naming of the school as the Peter A. Allard School of Law.
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Anuncio de los Finalistas para el Premio Allard 2020 a la Integridad Internacional
PRESS RELEASE 8 de Setiembre del 2020 Anuncio de los Finalistas para el Premio Allard 2020 a la Integridad Internacional El Premio Allard a la Integridad Internacional ha anunciado a sus tres finalistas para el Premio Allard 2020. El premio de CDN$100,000 es uno de los premios más grandes del mundo dedicado a defender los derechos humanos y combatir la corrupción. Tras un exhaustivo proceso de nominación y selección, los tres finalistas de este año fueron seleccionados entre 525 nominaciones de 80 países de todo el mundo. Los finalistas del Premio Allard 2020 son: Daphne Caruana Galizia La Comisión Internacional contra la Impunidad en Guatemala (CICIG) Howard Wilkinson “Cada uno de los finalistas ha demostrado una fuerza y un coraje increíble para proteger los derechos humanos, oponerse a la corrupción y promover la transparencia, la rendición de cuentas y el estado de derecho”, dice Peter Allard. ‘A pesar de enfrentar grandes riesgos personales por sus esfuerzos, y en un caso haciendo el maximo sacrificio, los finalistas han demostrado un compromiso e integridad inquebrantables en la protección de los derechos humanos y la lucha contra la corrupción en sus múltiples formas. Tengo la esperanza de que estos notables finalistas y sus historias de dedicación y coraje inspiren a otros a proteger los derechos humanos y luchar contra la opresión y los abusos de poder dondequiera que los encontremos”. El ganador será anunciado en una ceremonia virtual el 21 de Octubre del 2020 a las 12:00 p.m. PDT (Tiempo estándar del Pacífico). Haga un clic aquí para obtener boletos para la ceremonia. Daphne Caruana Galizia Como periodista y bloguera maltesa, Daphne Caruana Galizia investigó y descubrió la significativa criminalidad de la clase dominante en Malta, incluyendo corrupción, contrabando, crimen organizado, y lavado de dinero. Los informes de Daphne la convirtieron en blanco de intimidación y violencia a lo largo de su carrera, pero a pesar de las amenazas y ataques a su hogar y familia, se negó a capitular y detener su trabajo. El 16 de Octubre del 2017 Daphne fué asesinada en una explosión de un coche bomba. Antes de su muerte había investigado a 17 Black Limited, una empresa fantasma mencionada en el escándalo de los Papeles de Panamá. En su escrito, Daphne afirmó que 17 Black estaba conectada con el asistente principal del Primer Ministro y miembros de su gabinete. En 2019, el propietario de 17 Black fue arrestado en su yate mientras intentaba salir de Malta y a sido acusado de complicidad en su asesinato. El arresto provocó protestas callejeras en Malta, que también se dirigían a la corrupción del gobierno y la falta de acción contra el lavado de dinero. Posteriormente renunciaron el Primer Ministro, su ayudante y muchos de los miembros de su gabinete. El Proyecto Daphne, fué creado en memoria de Daphne, y continua sus investigaciones y apoyo a los periodistas. Incluso después de su muerte, su tremendo coraje sigue inspirando a periodistas y activistas en Malta y en todo el mundo para luchar con valentía contra la corrupción y los abusos de poder. La Comisión Internacional contra la Impunidad en Guatemala (CICIG) Esta comisión fue establecida en el 2007 por un acuerdo entre la Naciones Unidas y el gobierno de Guatemala para fortalecer y apoyar a las instituciones estatales responsables de la investigación y el enjuiciamiento de los grupos criminales que se habían infiltrado en las instituciones estatales desde el fin del conflicto armado interno de Guatemala que duró décadas. La CICIG demostró un fuerte compromiso con la rendición de cuentas y lideró más de 120 casos y expuso a más de 70 redes criminales, revelando fraude y corrupción gubernamentales generalizadas que involucran a funcionarios gubernamentales, líderes empresariales prominentes y narcotraficantes. El trabajo de la CICIG condujo a la destitución de una decena de jueces corruptos y la expulsión de 1,700 agentes de la Policía Nacional Civil. La CICIG también ha sido un catalizador del cambio en el sistema judicial de Guatemala al promover reformas legales para fortalecer la transparencia y aumentar la capacidad de respuesta al crimen. Los esfuerzos de la CICIG contribuyeron a una disminución anual promedio del 5% en las tasas de asesinatos y aumentaron exponencialmente la confianza y credibilidad de los ciudadanos en la Fiscalía General de Guatemala. La CICIG se cerró en 2019 cuando el entonces presidente Jimmy Morales, quien había sido investigado por corrupción, rescindió unilateralmente el acuerdo. Howard Wilkinson Mientras actuaba como director de la unidad comercial del Danske Bank en los países bálticos, Howard Wilkinson se encontró con una actividad sospechosa en los registros bancarios. Su investigación finalmente descubrió una operación de lavado de dinero por valor de al menos 200 mil millones de euros, hasta ahora una de las operaciones de este tipo descubiertas más grandes del mundo. En 2018, cuando estalló el alcance del escándalo, se violó el anonimato de Howard y fue expuesto como denunciante, invitando a represalias. A pesar del considerable riesgo para él y su familia, Howard testificó ante el Parlamento Europeo y abogó por una mayor protección para los denunciantes y un nuevo modelo de regulación que fomente una mayor transparencia. El escándalo dió lugar a numerosas investigaciones y acusaciones penales en toda Europa, y la dimisión del director ejecutivo de Danske y los reguladores obligaron a Danske a cerrar su sucursal en Estonia. Acerca del Premio Allard a la Integridad Internacional Establecido en octubre de 2012 y financiado por el Sr. Peter A. Allard, Q.C. a través de la Fundación del Premio Allard, el Premio Allard a la Integridad Internacional se otorga a una persona, grupo u organización que haya demostrado un liderazgo y coraje excepcionales en la protección de los derechos humanos, mientras defiende el estado de derecho, promueve la transparencia y / o previene o combate la corrupción. El Premio Allard es administrado por la Fundación del Premio Allard y dirigido por el Comité del Premio Allard, en consulta con la Junta Asesora del Premio Allard, compuesta por miembros de las comunidades que
2020 finalists announced for Allard Prize for International Integrity
This press release is also available in Spanish (Español). PRESS RELEASE DATE: September 8, 2020 2020 finalists announced for Allard Prize for International Integrity The Allard Prize for International Integrity has announced its three finalists for the 2020 Allard Prize. The $100,000 Prize is one of the largest awards in the world dedicated to upholding human rights and fighting corruption. After a comprehensive nomination and selection process, this year’s three finalists were selected from 525 nominations from 80 countries around the world. The 2020 Allard Prize finalists are: Daphne Caruana Galizia The International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) Howard Wilkinson “Each of the finalists has demonstrated incredible strength and courage in protecting human rights, opposing corruption, and promoting transparency, accountability, and the Rule of Law,” says Peter Allard. “Despite facing great personal risks for their efforts, and in one case making the ultimate sacrifice, the finalists have displayed unyielding commitment and integrity in protecting human rights and combatting corruption in its many forms. It is my hope that these remarkable finalists and their stories of dedication and courage will inspire others to protect human rights, and fight oppression and abuses of power wherever we encounter them.” The winner will be announced at a virtual ceremony on October 21, 2020 at 12:00pm PDT. Click here to register. Daphne Caruana Galizia As a Maltese journalist and blogger, Daphne Caruana Galizia investigated and uncovered significant criminality by the ruling class of Malta, including corruption, smuggling, organized crime, and money laundering. Daphne’s reporting made her the target of intimidation and violence throughout her career, but despite regular threats and attacks on her home and family, she refused to capitulate and halt her work. Daphne was murdered on October 16, 2017 in a car bomb explosion. Before her death, she had been investigating 17 Black Limited, a shell company mentioned in the Panama Papers scandal. In her writing, Daphne claimed that 17 Black was connected to the Prime Minister’s chief aide and members of his cabinet. In 2019, the owner of 17 Black was arrested on his yacht while trying to leave Malta and has been charged with complicity in her murder. The arrest ignited street protests in Malta, which also targeted government corruption and the lack of action against money laundering. The Prime Minister subsequently resigned, as did his aide and many of his cabinet members. The Daphne Project, created in Daphne’s memory, works to continue her investigations and support journalists. Even after her death, her tremendous courage continues to inspire journalists and activists in Malta and around the world to courageously fight corruption and abuses of power. The International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) This commission was established in 2007 by an agreement between the United Nations and the Guatemalan government to strengthen and support state institutions responsible for the investigation and prosecution of criminal groups that had infiltrated state institutions since the end of Guatemala’s decades-long internal armed conflict. CICIG demonstrated a strong commitment to accountability and led over 120 cases and exposed more than 70 criminal networks, revealing widespread government fraud and corruption involving government officials, prominent business leaders, and drug traffickers. CICIG’s work led to the removal of a dozen corrupt judges and the expulsion of 1,700 officers from the National Civilian Police. CICIG has also been a catalyst for change in Guatemala’s judicial system by promoting legal reforms to strengthen transparency and increase responsiveness to crime. The efforts of CICIG contributed to a 5% average annual decrease in murder rates and exponentially increased citizens’ trust and credibility in the Guatemalan Attorney General’s office. CICIG was closed in 2019 when then-President Jimmy Morales, who had been investigated for corruption, unilaterally terminated the agreement. Howard Wilkinson While acting as head of Danske Bank’s trading unit in the Baltics, Howard Wilkinson came across suspicious activity in bank records. His investigation eventually uncovered a money laundering operation worth approximately 200 billion Euros, one of the largest such operations in the world discovered so far. In 2018, when the extent of the scandal broke, Howard’s anonymity was violated and he was exposed as the whistleblower, inviting retaliation. Despite considerable risk to himself and his family, Howard testified before the European Parliament and advocated for greater protections for whistleblowers and a new regulation model that encourages greater transparency. The scandal led to numerous investigations and criminal charges across Europe, and the resignation of Danske’s CEO, and regulators required Danske to close its Estonian branch. About the Allard Prize for International Integrity Established in October 2012 and funded by Mr. Peter A. Allard, Q.C. through The Allard Prize Foundation, the Allard Prize for International Integrity is awarded to an individual, group or organization that has demonstrated exceptional leadership and courage in the protection of human rights, while upholding the Rule of Law, promoting transparency and/or preventing or combating corruption. The Allard Prize is administered by The Allard Prize Foundation and steered by the Allard Prize Committee, in consultation with the Allard Prize Advisory Board, composed of members of the anti-corruption and human rights communities worldwide. Learn more: www.allardprize.org. Past Winners and Honourees of the Allard Prize 2013 Anna Hazare (India) Global Witness – Honourable Mention (United Kingdom) Sima Samar – Honourable Mention (Afghanistan) 2015 John Githongo – joint winner (Kenya) Rafael Marques de Morais – joint winner (Angola) Indonesia Corruption Watch – Honourable Mention (Indonesia) Sergei Magnitsky – Honourable Mention (Russia) 2017 Khadija Ismayilova (Azerbaijan) Car Wash Task Force (Força Tarefa da Lava Jato) – Honourable Mention (Brazil) Azza Soliman – Honourable Mention (Egypt) 2019 William (Bill) Binney – Lifetime Achievement Award (United States) The Allard Prize Committee Robert W. King, Principal, Westbridge Capital Group Geoff Lyster, Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP Richard Olson, Retired The Allard Prize Advisory Board Ms. Eva Joly – Member of the European Parliament; Brussels, Belgium – Lawyer at the Paris Bar Paul Radu Executive Director Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project Dr. Comfort Ero Program Director, Africa International Crisis Group Mr. Kol Preap Executive Director Transparency International Cambodia