Vera Duarte is a Cape Verde

Cape Verde

The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...

an human rights activist, government minister and politician

Politician

A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...

. Duarte was the recipient of the inaugural North–South Prize in 1995, along with musician, Peter Gabriel

Peter Gabriel

Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...

. The North–South Prize is awarded annually to recipients in the field of human rights by the North–South Centre of the Council of Europe

Council of Europe

The Council of Europe is an international organisation promoting co-operation between all countries of Europe in the areas of legal standards, human rights, democratic development, the rule of law and cultural co-operation...

. She is also a founding member of the Lisbon Forum.

Duarte co-founded and chaired the National Commission for Human Rights and Citizenship of Cape Verde

Cape Verde

The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...

 in 2003. Most recently, Daurte has served as the Cape Verdean Minister of Education.