Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recognized U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie L. Yovanovitch as the recipient of the 2009 “Diplomacy for Human Rights Award.”

The annual “Diplomacy for Human Rights Award” recognizes a U.S. Ambassador who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to defending human rights and advancing democratic principles of government in his or her host country, U.S. Embassy informed NEWS.am.

In making her selection, Secretary Clinton recognized Ambassador Yovanovitch’s principled leadership and innovative use of diplomatic tools in promoting and defending human rights and democracy as an essential component of the United States' bilateral relationship with Armenia.

Secretary Clinton singled out Ambassador Yovanovitch and her embassy team for their advocacy of due process and transparent investigations of those arrested after the contentious February 2008 elections, and for the Ambassador's efforts to improve the electoral process in Armenia, while maintaining a positive relationship with the Armenian Government, Embassy message reads.

The award will be presented early next year.

“While I am honored to be selected for this award, this award really honors human rights reformers in Armenia, whether they are in government, civil society, or the media. As Secretary Clinton stated, 'human rights and fundamental freedoms … are the birthright of every human being. They are the basis of human dignity, and they underpin international peace and progress.' As long as I have been a diplomat, I have believed in these principles, and worked to promote them wherever I have served. I believe Armenia has made much progress in 18 years, but that there is still much more work to do on human rights. I want to help with that process, and I want to do it constructively,” said Yovanovitch.