Northern Ireland schoolgirl collects award in Amnesty Internationals Young Human Rights Reporter of the Year competition

 

The UK-wide competition reached its climax recently with the unveiling of the 2011 winners at a prestigious ceremony in London.

 

The competition attracted nearly 1,000 entries from across the UK, with judges including Guardian senior reporter Ian Cobain and Amnesty International representatives.

 

Children's rights aged seven to 14 were asked to write up to 250 words on a human rights story.

 

Natasha, a pupil at Belfast Royal Academy, won the Lower Secondary school category for her human rights article called called Revolution in Egypt (reprinted below).

 

Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland programme director of Amnesty International, said: “Our congratulations go to Natasha and all the winners. It’s been a fantastic competition and we’re proud to be encouraging the next generation of human rights journalists.

 

“Reporters play a vital role in shining a spotlight on the appalling human rights abuses that happen every day across the globe – issues that Amnesty frequently campaigns upon."

 

 

 

"I went to Egypt on holiday in 2009 and spent time in Cairo. There are many amazing sights but the poverty I witnessed was shocking - people searching through rubbish in search of food and begging on the uneven footpaths.

 

Therefore it was not a great shock when I heard the people of Egypt had grown tired of the situation and had begun protests inspired by the events in Tunisia. 

 

The people were sick of poverty, corruption, police abuse, high unemployment and rising prices and called for the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak after a 30 year reign.

 

The Egyptians have a right to peaceful protests – a right which has been breached and warped by the acts of growing violence made by both the police and "pro-Mubarak supporters".

 

The people also have a right to freedom of opinion and sharing information, however one of the government's first acts when the protests began was to cut off internet and mobile phone networks to block communication.

 

These violations have lead to aggression occurring on the side of the Egyptians. The aggravated demonstrators have overturned police riot cars, stoned police and fired shots and the reaction gained was that of teargas and water cannons. An estimated 300 people have been killed.

 

Although President Mubarak has said he will not run for re-election when his term ends in September and has made it clear his son will also not run for elections, the Egyptians are not satisfied and continue to protest."