Ambassador Michael Posner (Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor) and Ambassador Scott DeLisi (the new US Ambassador to Uganda) today presented members of the Ugandan Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law with the US Department of State 2011 Human Rights Defenders Award.

Hassan Shire received the award on behalf of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project and Protection Desk Uganda team (pictured here). The award recognizes individuals or non-governmental organizations who show exceptional valor and leadership in advocating for the protection of human rights and democracy in the face of government repression.