International Peace Bureau awards - Sean MacBride Peace Prize for 2010 to Binalakshmi Nepram

25 June 2010, Geneva

The International Peace Bureau is delighted to announce that Binalakshmi Nepram, founder of Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Secretary-General of Control Arms Foundation of India, is to be awarded the Sean MacBride Peace Prize 2010. The prize is awarded annually by the International Peace Bureau (IPB), founded in 1891. It is named after Sean MacBride, a distinguished Irish statesman who shared the 1974 Nobel Peace Prize, and is given to individuals or organisations for their outstanding work for peace, disarmament and human rights. (details at: http://ipb.org/i/about-ipb/II-F-mac-bride-peace-prize.html)

IPB's Secretary-General Colin Archer said: "It gives me enormous pleasure to convey the IPB Board's decision to award Ms Binalakshmi Nepram the 2010 Sean MacBride Peace Prize in recognition of her extraordinary efforts to promote disarmament and an end to gun violence in India. Her pioneering work with both the Manipuri Women's Gun Survivor Network and the Control Arms Foundation of India has demonstrated deep determination and commitment - in particular to the linkage between disarmament and development, which is a vital topic for the IPB. Her achievements offer an inspiring model for activists in other parts of the world".

The Prize, a silver medal contributed annually by the Irish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, will be awarded to Ms Nepram on 23rd September 2010 at the Nobel Centre in the Norwegian capital Oslo, at a ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the International Peace Bureau in 1910. The ceremony also serves as the opening session of the IPB's Triennial Conference, entitled 'A Climate of Peace'. (see details at: http://www.ipb.org)

In a statement issued in New Delhi, Binlakshmi Nepram wrote: "I am deeply humbled to hear that I have been awarded the Sean MacBride Peace Prize for 2010. The journey for peace, justice, universal disarmament and a world free of war is long and challenging. But news such as this motivates me and my team at Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network and Control Arms Foundation of India to keep working for a peaceful world with dedication and strength in our hearts. I dedicate this award to the struggling people of Manipur in Northeast India and in other conflict zones around the world for whom a life in peace is still a distant dream. We have a long tiring road to walk together".

About Ms Binalakshmi Nepram

Ms Binalakshmi Nepram is a writer-activist born in India's northeastern state of Manipur. She is the daughter of Nepram Bihari Singh and Yensembam Ibemhal Devi of Sagolband Nepra Menjor Leikai, Imphal, Manipur, and holds a Master of Philiosophy degree in South Asian Studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

In 2004, Ms Nepram co-founded Control Arms Foundation of India, the first Indian civil society organization to work on conventional disarmament issues and to make disarmament an issue that is meaningful to people's lives. Three years later, in 2007, she also set up the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network in her home state of Manipur to help women and children affected by gun violence.

Ms Nepram is also leading the civil society work in India on the issues of landmines, cluster bombs and the International Arms Trade Treaty. She has represented Indian civil society at the United Nations in several fora such as those related to the Control Arms campaign, disarmament and the Commission on the Status of Women. She has also published research articles and several books.

About IPB

The International Peace Bureau is dedicated to the vision of a World Without War. We are a Nobel Peace Laureate (1910), and over the years 13 of our officers have been recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. Our 320 member organisations in 70 countries, and individual members, form a global network which brings together expertise and campaigning experience in a common cause. Our main programme centres on Sustainable Disarmament for Sustainable Development.

+ Now on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/ipb1910
+ on Twitter too: http://twitter.com/IntlPeaceBureau
+ Nobel Peace Prize centenary conference: Oslo, Sept. 23-26, 2010 - http://ipb100.org
+ Making Peace' exhibition programme: Geneva, 6 June - 4 July, 2010 - http://www.makingpeace.org

For further details, please contact:

(Mr) Colin Archer, Secretary-General
International Peace Bureau
41 rue de Zurich, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +41-22-731-6429, Fax: 738-9419
Website: www.ipb.org

(Ms.) Binalakshmi Nepram, Secretary-General
Office of Control Arms Foundation of India & Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network
B 5 / 146, First Floor, Safdarjung Enclave
New Delhi - 110 029, India
Email : [email protected]
Tel: +91-11-46018541 Fax : +91-11-26166234
Website : www.cafi-online.org