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Putu Oka Sukanta wins Human Rights Education award
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Putu Oka Sukanta, 77, has been named the foundation's inaugural award recipient for his “significant contribution to human rights education” in Indonesia. (Shutterstock/File)
The Melbourne-based Herb Feith Foundation has awarded the Human Rights Education Award to an Indonesian writer and activist.
Putu Oka Sukanta, 77, has been named the foundation's inaugural award recipient for his “significant contribution to human rights education” in Indonesia, according to a press statement received on Dec. 1.
It says Putu made the contribution through his writing and community education activities.
The former teacher-cum-journalist was an activist of the People's Cultural Institute (Lekra), the leftist organization banned after the 1965 coup attempt. Now working as an acupuncturist in Jakarta, Putu's books have been translated to English, German and French.
(Read also: Ismail Marzuki, Van Lith, Martha Tilaar on cultural award winners list)
He is the founder of the NGO Lembaga Kreativitas Kemanusiaan (Institute of Human Creativity), which produces films and organizes educational activities focused on “restoring humanity of those related to the 1965 case”.
In 2012 he received the Hellman/Hammet Award for his commitment to freedom of expression and his dedication to confronting persecution.
Set up by Monash University, the Herb Feith Foundation was established in 2003 to commemorate the life and work of Herb Feith (1930-2001), a leading Indonesianist who also a volunteer, teacher and peace activist. (kes)
