Journalist and university professor from Novi Sad, Dinko Gruhonjić, has been announced as this year’s recipient of the Human Rights Award from the German city of Weimar, according to the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

„We warmly welcome the decision of the city of Weimar to award the 30th Anniversary Human Rights Prize to journalist and university professor Dinko Gruhonjić,“ they stated in a press release.

They mentioned that due to his independent and critical reporting on the rise of militant nationalism and glorification of war crimes in Serbia, Dinko Gruhonjić „has been and remains a target of defamation and death threats.“

They added that freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Serbia have been under increasing pressure for years.

„Weimar’s recognition of Dinko Gruhonjić’s tireless commitment to human rights and democracy in the Western Balkans is heartening,“ said STP Director Roman Kin (Kühn).

He added that Gruhonjić faces threats „in the heart of Europe“ because of his activism.

„Despite massive intimidation attempts, he remains steadfast in his commitment to press freedom and freedom of expression. The Weimar Human Rights Award sends an important and encouraging signal to journalists in Serbia and around the world not to be intimidated,“ Kin concluded.

Dinko Gruhonjić expressed that the award holds great emotional and human significance for him and his family.

„It is a profound recognition of my journalistic and academic work in promoting human rights, combating militant ethnonationalist ideologies, and promoting reconciliation among peoples in the post-Yugoslav region,“ Gruhonjić stated.

He added that the award will help him continue on this path despite the increasing threats faced by those advocating for humane values in Serbia.

„I thank everyone who nominated me for this prestigious award, as well as all my friends, colleagues in journalism, academic peers, and my students who support me and my family in these difficult times,“ Gruhonjić emphasized.

STP and Reporters Without Borders nominated Dinko Gruhonjić jointly with the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia for the award.

Dinko Gruhonjić (53) is an associate professor in the Department of Media Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy in Novi Sad, program director of the Independent Journalists’ Association of Vojvodina, and head of the Novinska agencija Beta’s Vojvodina bureau.

Through his journalistic and academic work, Gruhonjić addresses topics such as politics, human rights, minorities and marginalized groups, as well as accountability for war crimes in the post-Yugoslav wars and facing the past.

The thirtieth ceremony for the awarding of the Weimar Human Rights Award will take place on December 6, 2024, in the German city.

(NDNV)