French award for Radhika Coomaraswamy

Former Under Secretary General of the United Nations and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy was recently awarded the Special Jury Prize 2012 by the Fondation Chirac for her actions in favour of the protection of children during armed conflict in the presence of Bernadette Chirac, wife of the former French President Jacques Chirac.

The event was attended by former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Minister of Economy François Baroin, French politicians and Ambassadors. Sri Lanka's Ambassador Dayan Jayatilleka and Sanja Jayatilleka were also present on this occasion.

Presenting the Special Jury Prize, former President of Senegal and Secretary General of La Francophonie, Abdou Diouf highlighted Coomaraswamy's contributions to the protection of children during armed conflict.

"Dear Radhika Coomaraswamy, you appear in the same rank as these courageous women who devote their talent and energy to help the victims while making sure that their social rights are better protected both normatively and institutionally," he said.