Reginald Matchaba-Hove, one of Zimbabwe’s leading human rights activists, was honored along with three other Africans human rights advocates for his contribution to the advancement of human rights and promoting free and fair elections in Southern African.

The award was presented by the National Endowment for Democracy based in the United States on 27th June 2006 at the US Congress. Earlier that afternoon, Matchaba- Hove and the three other honorees met with President Bush in the Oval Office, where they had what President Bush called an "amazing" discussion on human rights and democratic principles.

"My spirits are enriched by talking to freedom lovers and freedom fighters," the president said.  "We've got a man from the Sudan who talked eloquently about free press.  We had a doctor from Zimbabwe who talked about the human condition and the need for the United States to make sure we stay engaged with the democracy movements and help people who are hungry."Bush congratulated the recipients for their work in advancing democracy and said he was "proud to be in their company."

"I thank you for being witness to this universal fact that liberty is universal in its application, that people everywhere desire to be free" and that freedom ... belongs not just to American citizens, "freedom belongs to everybody.  And you're courageous in your fight and your desire to spread the concept of freedom," the president said.

Matchaba-Hove’s human rights career has focused on empowering Zimbabweans to protect fundamental civil rights, ensuring free, fair, and transparent democratic processes, and facilitating the provision of basic social services. He currently serves as the chairman of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) and the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA). Prior to 1999, he was the chairman of Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights).

The three other recipients of the 2006 Democracy Award are Zainab Bangura (Sierra Leone), Alfred Taban (Sudan) and Immaculée Birhaheka of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The NED is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1983 to strengthen democratic institutions.

Issued: June 27th 2006