The Netherlands International Organization for Freedom and Protection of Human Rights and World Peace “IOPHR” held a ceremony in honor of caretaker Minister of Public Health, Dr. Hamad Hasan, marking his winning the “Influential Figure of the Year 2020 Award”, which the organization awards annually to prominent personalities under the slogan “one humanity and a shared responsibility”, with a unanimous vote in appreciation of Minister Hassan’s dedicated efforts at the humanitarian and national levels amid the coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Hasan was also granted the Peace Leaders Sash in recognition of his work.
Dr. Hasan’s address on the occasion highlighted “human rights and peace”, whereby the minister hoped “these values will be rooted in the Arab world, in Europe and around the world.”
“This moral prize has an underlying indication to Lebanon’s role and mission in the world, as our country has always been a torch and a platform for global freedom and peace,” Hassan said. “Despite all the difficult circumstances, IOPHR honors Lebanon by honoring its Minister of Public Health, which is tantamount to a tribute to the Ministry of Public Health’s staff, to paramedics, nurses, and all health and medical sector workers [in Lebanon].”
He stressed that “we cannot give in to the difficulties and challenges, nor to the unfair classification of some countries towards Lebanon, especially amid the economic or financial blockade that is suffocating our people. (…) We know with certainty that all such offensive decisions not only affect the Lebanese but also tamper with human values. It is not permissible for some countries to consider themselves a reference in democracy and yet exercise injustice and oppression against our societies.”
He also stressed that “what the government and the Ministry of Health have done in Lebanon was not only meant to protect the Lebanese, but also to protect every resident on Lebanese soil.”
Addressing the Lebanese citizens, Minister Hasan said: “Our daily life is full of internal pains and sadness, but we trust that a bright future awaits us.”
Source: NNA