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Truth Hounds received the Polish Prize of Sérgio Vieira de Mello for activities promoting the peaceful coexistence and cooperation of societies, religions and cultures. The prize was established by the Kraków-based Villa Decius Association and is awarded for contributions to the democratisation of society and the promotion of human rights.
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“Receiving this award renews our strength. It reminds us that, even amidst the storm, there are people who stand together – united by a belief that truth matters, that justice can prevail, and that every human life has equal worth,”
– Oksana Pokalchuk, Co-Executive Director at Truth Hounds, stated in her speech during the ceremony
Truth Hounds are honoured to receive the Polish Prize of Sérgio Vieira de Mello – a symbol of freedom and the protection of human rights. We began in 2014 as a group determined to uncover the truth about Russian war crimes and to teach others how to document with respect for survivors, victims and their families. Over the years, Truth Hounds has transformed into a full-spectrum organisation – not only documenting, but also helping to investigate and ensure accountability for those who committed war crimes.
“Justice must not be abstract; it must be felt. It must reach the homes of people who lost someone they loved, who were tortured, displaced, or silenced. Often these are ordinary people – farmers, teachers, nurses, parents – whose suffering may be spoken of for a day or a week, and then forgotten. Our task is to make sure they are not forgotten,”
– Oksana Pokalchuk, Co-Executive Director at Truth Hounds.
Sérgio Vieira de Mello was the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. In 2003, as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Iraq, he was killed in a bomb attack on the UN compound in Baghdad.
