HWPA 2017 To Honor Heroes In Indonesian Citizens Protection

JAKARTA, Aug 23 (Antara) - Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs this year will organize the 2017 Hassan Wirajuda Citizen Protection Award (HWPA) addressed to recognize people's contribution in Indonesian citizens protection. "Indonesian citizens protection has become one of Foreign Ministry's priorities. This award is organized to honor people's contribution in protecting Indonesian citizens abroad," Spokesperson of Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Arrmanatha Nasir said here on Tuesday evening. The nomination process for the third HWPA has begun in August and expected to finish in early September, whilst the awards will be given in November to persons or institutions that have outstanding contribution in protection Indonesian citizens abroad. One of the HWPA's board of jury, Hikmahanto Juwana said that during the first and second year of the award the nominees and the winners have been vary from Police institution, government agencies, Indonesian citizens and society, and event foreign nationals who have shown great contribution in protecting Indonesian citizens overseas. For example, in 2015 HWPA, Mohamad Abdulkader Akraa and Veronika Sedo Barek won the award in the category of Indonesian representative working partner. Akraa has been the lawyer accompanying Indonesian citizens in Syria. While escorting Indonesian citizens from Aleppo to Damascus, Akraa's car was shot several times by unidentified people. Meanwhile, Veronika Sedo Barek established and operates the independent school for Indonesian labor children in Sabah, Malaysia, since 2003. "They can be inspirations in terms of Indonesian citizens protection," Juwana, who is also an observer of international relation said. The award was named after Indonesia's former Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda who took office from 2001-2009. During his term, Wirajuda initiated the formation of new special directorate called the Directorate of Indonesian Citizens Protection and Legal Aid in the Foreign Ministry.