Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI) Named Winner of the Thomas J. Dodd Prize for International Justice and Human Rights

September 12, 2007 – The Thomas J. Dodd Research Center at the University of Connecticut announced this week that MDRI has been chosen to receive the 2007 Dodd Prize for its efforts in advancing the cause of international justice and global human rights. MDRI will share the $75,000 prize with The Center for Justice and Accountability.

The Dodd Prize commemorates the eminent public service career of Thomas J. Dodd, Executive Trial Counsel at the Nuremberg Trials and Connecticut Senator from 1959 to 1971.

In 2003, the first Dodd Prize was awarded to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Prime Minister Bertie Ahern of Ireland. In 2005, the University of Connecticut awarded the second Dodd Prize to Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and to Justice Richard Goldstone, former lead prosecutor for the International Penal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

MDRI has brought unprecedented international attention to human rights abuses against children and adults with mental disabilities worldwide. MDRI’s achievements around the world are detailed on our website.

MDRI’s two most recent reports — on Turkey  and Romania — had a major impact on children and adults with disabilities in those countries.

MDRI’s investigations and international advocacy have also been a major force in gaining support for a new United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

MDRI executive director Eric Rosenthal and associate director Laurie Ahern will accept the award at an October 1 reception at the University of Connecticut.

For more information on MDRI, visit our website:

http://www.mdri.org

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