Mr. Kovacevic’s work contributed towards important improvements of the asylum system in Serbia including increase in the number of refugees being granted asylum. He has assisted many asylum-seekers to access protection in Serbia, counselling them and helping them apply for asylum, to find shelter, job and access education and medical assistance, hoping they will find opportunities and a new life in Serbia.
Mr. Kovacevic met many who have been through a lot while escaping conflict and persecution, seeking protection. Many have been exposed to violence on their way to safety. His determination instigated their hope for better life.
“I am very happy that the efforts of the Serbian human rights lawyer Nikola Kovacevic were recognized by the Nansen Refugee Award committee,” said Francesca Bonelli, UNHCR Representative in Serbia, and added: “For the persons forced to flee, one of the main preconditions for the continuation of the normal life is that their need for the international protection is recognized and thy can enjoy guaranteed rights. Nikola always went the extra mile in refugee protection.”
Nikola Kovacevic said that he is deeply honored and grateful to receive the 2021 UNHCR’s Nansen Refugee Regional Award: “This Award places a huge responsibility on my shoulders, but also represents a genuine incentive to continue to fight for the legacy of the 1951 Refugee Convention and to assist those who are in need of international protection in times of increasing xenophobia, twilight of human rights at the borders and increasing lack of solidarity. It has always been an honor to stand by refugees and I dedicate this Award to all those people who were forced to flee their homes” Nikola underlined.
Established in 1954, UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award honors individuals, groups and organizations who go above and beyond the call of duty to protect refugees, displaced and stateless people. As of 2017, it is awarded also on a regional level, for Africa, Asia, Europe and Middle East.
The Nansen Refugee Award program is funded in partnership with the Swiss Government, The Norwegian Government, the State Council of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the Administrative Council of the City of Geneva and the IKEA Foundation.
“I congratulate Nikola Kovacevic on winning this year’s Nansen Refugee Award, it is a well-deserved recognition of his extraordinary work in promoting the rights of refugees and asylum seekers and for his tireless efforts to mitigate and prevent harmful practices,” said Geir Håkon Johansen, Deputy Head of Mission of Royal Norwegian Embassy in Serbia.
“The Government of Switzerland and the Canton of Geneva have supported the Nansen Refugee Award since its establishment in 1954. We are honored today to celebrate the granting of this prestigious award to a person from the Western Balkans for the first time. The Regional Winners are selected from more than 200 nominees for their outstanding work in supporting refugees, displaced and stateless people”, stated H.E. Urs Schmid, ambassador of Switzerland to Serbia.
“In light of the establishment of the Migration Partnership Agreement between Switzerland and Serbia back in 2009, we are glad to see that a professional from Serbia has been selected to receive the prestigious Nansen award for his extraordinary work and commitment. This also shows the responsiveness of the Serbian asylum system for working with civil society experts and confirms the necessity of continued engagement on this issue”, concluded ambassador Schmid.
The award-handling ceremony was held on October 7 in the premises of Royal Norwegian Embassy and was attended by Ana Brnabić, Serbian Prime Minister, Francesca Bonelli, UNHCR Representative in Serbia, H.E. Mr. Jørn Eugene Gjelstad, ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Serbia, H.E. Urs Schmid, ambassador of Switzerland to Serbia, Vladimir Cucić, Serbian Commissioner for Refugees and Migration, as well as many other officials.
