Nikola Kovačević (lawyer)
Nikola Kovačević | |
|---|---|
| Никола Ковачевић | |
| Born | June 16, 1989 |
| Nationality | Serbian |
| Occupation | Human rights lawyer |
| Awards | 2021 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award in Europe |
Nikola Kovačević (Serbian: Никола Ковачевић; born 16 June 1989) is a Serbian human rights lawyer. He was the recipient of the 2021 UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award in Europe.
Career
[edit]Kovačević is a human rights lawyer who supports the protection needs of refugees in Serbia.[1] He also helps asylum seekers and refugees find shelter, employment, education and healthcare, so that they can eventually build a new life in Serbia.[1] Kovačević's desire to represent refugees and asylum seekers was sparked by an encounter with an Iranian family in 2012 at a Serbian asylum centre.[2] Since then, he has represented nearly 30% of all asylum seekers granted protection in Serbia.[3]
In 2021, Kovačević was the regional winner of UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award for Europe.[2] The award is given to "individuals, groups and organizations that go beyond their responsibilities in the field of protection of refugees, displaced persons and stateless persons."[4] He is the first person from Serbia and the Balkans to win the award.[2] Kovačević's work has helped to bring about significant improvements to the asylum system in Serbia, including an increase in the number of refugees granted asylum.[1]
Kovačević is a member of the A11 Initiative for Human Rights, a Non-governmental organization based in Belgrade.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Nikola Kovačević, pravnik za ljudska prava, dobitnik Nansenove nagrade" [Nikola Kovačević, human rights lawyer, winner of the Nansen Award]. Danas (in Serbian). 29 September 2021.
- ^ a b c Gec, Jovana (7 October 2021). "Serbian rights lawyer wins UN refugee agency award in Europe". U.S. News & World Report. The Associated Press.
- ^ Geddes, Farrah (29 September 2021). "Serbian human rights lawyer fights for the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers". unhcr.org. The United Nations Refugee Agency. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ Diković, Jelena (10 October 2021). "Nikola Kovačević: Tražiocima azila dati odmah putne isprave i radne dozvole" [Nikola Kovačević: Give asylum seekers travel documents and work permits immediately]. Danas (in Serbian). Retrieved 14 October 2021.
- ^ "Inicijativa A11: Evropski sud za ljudska prava sledeća adresa za pretučene na protestima". 021.rs. N1. 24 September 2020.