It is my great pleasure, on behalf of the Portuguese State, to bestow an award on two internationally renowned institutions whose impartial, rigorous and extremely demanding performance over the years has contributed in Portugal to asserting values that are an inescapable reference of Portuguese society today: democracy, freedom, respect for human rights and people’s right to self-determination.

The BBC World Service began broadcasting in Portuguese during World War II. These broadcasts were guided by criteria of outstanding journalistic quality, which undoubtedly made the BBC World Service a mainstay and a reference for all those who fought for these values in Portugal. This service was with us every step of the way in our country’s struggle for democracy, and provided news of the political evolution that led to the independence of the Portuguese-speaking African countries.

But the BBC World Service has also been invaluable in disseminating and promoting the language, culture and universe of Portugal, and through its broadcasts has given voice to important members of our country’s political and cultural worlds.

The BBC has also been the school for many of our Portuguese professionals who mastered their trade at its microphones, learning to perform according to criteria of impartiality, rigour and ethics that should be the cornerstone of journalism.

The Portuguese State is accordingly very grateful to the BBC World Service.

The courageous action of Amnesty International on behalf of all those whose fundamental rights continue to be abused and repressed everywhere in the world, is universally acknowledged today. Its voice tenaciously denounces oppression, iniquity and violence and, fortunately, it is increasingly listened to and respected.

Amnesty International was created in the wake of an act of repression in Portugal and from its very first moment has tirelessly accompanied and supported the struggle of all those who fought for democracy in our country. It has also been instrumental in defending the right to self-determination of the Portuguese-speaking African countries. More recently, it has shown remarkable persistence in its commitment to the cause of East Timor.

Portugal is grateful to Amnesty International not only for its fundamental role the world over in defending the supreme value of human dignity but also for its actions in favour of freedom and democracy in Portugal.

I am therefore extremely pleased and proud to bestow this honour on behalf of the Portuguese State on the BBC World Service and Amnesty International.


			Discurso do Presidente da República por ocasião das condecorações à BBC World Service e Amnistia Internacional Londres 13 de Fevereiro de 2002 It is my great pleasure, on behalf of the Portuguese State, to bestow an award on two internationally renowned institutions whose impartial, rigorous and extremely demanding performance over the years has contributed in Portugal to asserting values that are an inescapable reference of Portuguese society today: democracy, freedom, respect for human rights and people’s right to self-determination. The BBC World Service began broadcasting in Portuguese during World War II. These broadcasts were guided by criteria of outstanding journalistic quality, which undoubtedly made the BBC World Service a mainstay and a reference for all those who fought for these values in Portugal. This service was with us every step of the way in our country’s struggle for democracy, and provided news of the political evolution that led to the independence of the Portuguese-speaking African countries. But the BBC World Service has also been invaluable in disseminating and promoting the language, culture and universe of Portugal, and through its broadcasts has given voice to important members of our country’s political and cultural worlds. The BBC has also been the school for many of our Portuguese professionals who mastered their trade at its microphones, learning to perform according to criteria of impartiality, rigour and ethics that should be the cornerstone of journalism. The Portuguese State is accordingly very grateful to the BBC World Service. The courageous action of Amnesty International on behalf of all those whose fundamental rights continue to be abused and repressed everywhere in the world, is universally acknowledged today. Its voice tenaciously denounces oppression, iniquity and violence and, fortunately, it is increasingly listened to and respected. Amnesty International was created in the wake of an act of repression in Portugal and from its very first moment has tirelessly accompanied and supported the struggle of all those who fought for democracy in our country. It has also been instrumental in defending the right to self-determination of the Portuguese-speaking African countries. More recently, it has shown remarkable persistence in its commitment to the cause of East Timor. Portugal is grateful to Amnesty International not only for its fundamental role the world over in defending the supreme value of human dignity but also for its actions in favour of freedom and democracy in Portugal. I am therefore extremely pleased and proud to bestow this honour on behalf of the Portuguese State on the BBC World Service and Amnesty International.