Reebok Human Rights Award

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The Reebok Human Rights Award "recognizes young activists who have made significant contributions to human rights causes through nonviolent means. The Award aims to generate positive international attention for the recipients and to support their efforts. Since 1988, more than 84 recipients from over 38 countries have received the award.

"Honorees, who are 30 years of age or younger, receive a $50,000 grant from the Reebok Human Rights Foundation to further their work. Nominees are submitted from around the world by prominent individuals in the human rights community and by non-governmental organizations. Recipients are selected by the Reebok Human Rights board of advisors." [1]

In 1999 "Reebok's supposed improvements in foreign factories won accolades from the likes of Medea Benjamin, director of Global Exchange, a leader in that anti-sweatshop movement." [2]

In 2002 Dita Sari rejected the opportunity to receive one of the awards. Although she did not give the speech she had planned to give the following rejection speech at the award ceremony: "I have taken this award into a very deep consideration. We finally decide not to accept this.... In Indonesia, there are five Reebok companies; 80% of the workers are women. All companies are subcontracted, often by South Korean companies.... Since the workers can only get around $1.50 a day, they then have to live in a slum area, surrounded by poor and unhealthy conditions, especially for their children. At the same time, Reebok collected millions of dollars of profit every year, directly contributed by these workers. The low pay and exploitation of the workers of Indonesia, Mexico and Vietnam are the main reasons why we will not accept this award." [3]

"Reebok Human Rights Award recipients are selected by the Reebok Human Rights Award board of advisors. Current members include:" [4]

Recipients of the Award [5]

2007
2006
2005
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2002
2001
1999
1998
1996
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1988

Contact

Web: http://www.reebok.com/Static/global/initiatives/rights/text-only/awards/

Resources and articles

Related Sourcewatch articles

References

  1. Reebok Human Rights Award, Reebok Human Rights Foundation, accessed January 21, 2008.
  2. Cynthia Peters, "Progressive Causes Provide Marketing Opportunities", Znet, February 7, 2000.
  3. Alexander Cockburn, ”Running From Reebok's Hypocrisy”, Los Angeles Times, February 7, 2002.
  4. Advisors, Reebok Human Rights Foundation, accessed January 21, 2008.
  5. Awardees, Reebok Human Rights Award, accessed January 21, 2008.