Diplomats Awarded for Championing Democracy

SW Radio Africa (London)

Alex Bell

13 July 2011

Former Czech Republic Ambassador Jaroslav Olsa Jr and former US diplomat James McGee have both been honoured for their efforts in championing democracy in Zimbabwe.

The pair was both awarded the inaugural Palmer Prize for Diplomats, by the secretariat for the International Steering Committee of the Community of Democracies (CCD). According to the CCD, the two diplomats were honored along with five others for their “contributions to the cause of democracy and human rights.”

McGee was posted in Zimbabwe from 2007 to 2009 and was an almost constant thorn in ZANU PF’s side for his vocal stance on democracy and respect for human rights, and the lack thereof under ZANU PF.

Olsa Jr meanwhile was the Czech ambassador to Zimbabwe from 2000 to 2006, and was honoured for his efforts in advocating for free and fair elections during his tenure.

“During his long term in Zimbabwe, Ambassador Olsa Jr advocated for free and fair elections during the 2002 Presidential and 2000 and 2005 Parliamentary elections and did his best to ensure that a true record of what he observed reached local and other observer missions and the international community,” said the CCD in a statement.

In reference to McGee, the CCD said that, he “provided unwavering support for various programmes, to foster civic participation, defend human rights, and strengthen the electoral process in the highly challenging environment of Zimbabwe in 2008.”

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