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Citizens Do the Right Thing
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are here today to recognise and to honour the inspiring example of five citizens who – when they came up against corruption, intolerance crime and ignorance – responded with a brave and uncomplicated determination to stand clearly on the side of right and not on the side of wrong.
Our society needs people who will follow this example.
It needs citizens who will protest against injustice and incompetence; it needs police officers and judges and prosecutors who will resist political and criminal influence and do their duty to protect citizens and to catch wrongdoers. It needs public servants who serve the public; it needs professionals who resist cynicism and commit themselves to making this society work as it can work and as it must work.
It is my privilege today to present the Dusko Kondor award to Mrs Vesna Levar and Mr Leon Levar, the widow and son of the late Milan Levar, a man who gave his life for truth and justice, a man who understood that serving the nation and serving the people can never be accomplished by crime, by theft, by murder, or by intimidation.
The clear moral vision and the courage shown by today’s award recipients must inspire all of us to do more, to do better – above all to do right.
There is a struggle going on in this society. On one side are those who understand the difference between right and wrong, and on the other side are those who do not.
I am certain that those who understand the difference make up the vast majority. I am equally certain that the side of right will prevail.
Thank you.