OSCE Mission to Serbia announces winners of 2012 Person of the Year award

BELGRADE, 12 December 2012 – The OSCE Mission to Serbia presented its Person of the Year awards at a ceremony in Belgrade today to recognize contributions made in the fight against corruption, media reform, police reform and the protection and advancement of human rights.

This year’s recipients are leading public servants from the Finance Ministry and the Interior Ministry, as well as the director of a news agency. Exceptionally this year, the Mission decided to also posthumously recognize the founder of the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) for a life dedicated to the advancement of human rights.

“Each of these individuals has made a significant contribution to Serbia’s reforms. It is important to publically acknowledge their excellent service and to recognize them for upholding values shared and supported by OSCE participating States and actively supporting the Organization’s activities in this country,” said Ambassador Peter Burkhard, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

The winners are:

Aleksandar Vujičić, Director of the Administration for the Prevention of Money Laundering, awarded for his dedication and expert contribution in creating one of the most effective anti-money laundering systems in the region.

Zoran Sekulić, founder and director of FONET News Agency, for his dedication and expert contribution in the drafting of Serbia’s media strategy and promoting the principles of freedom of information.

Dražen Maravić, Head of the Bureau for Strategic Planning of the Interior Ministry, awarded for his instrumental role in the creation and adoption of the Interior Ministry Development Strategy 2011-2016, a key document in the police reform process in Serbia.

Professor Vojin Dimitrijević, the founder of the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) is being posthumously recognized for a life dedicated to the promotion of human rights and for his contribution to the establishment of the OSCE Mission to Serbia mandate.

Organized for the seventh consecutive year, this award recognizes distinguished individuals who have contributed to furthering the understanding and implementation of OSCE values in Serbia in their work.