These are the nominees of the Prix Courage 2021 - Lifetime Award for Ruedi Lüthy

Seven people have been nominated for the 24th Prix Courage.

Islam Alijaj from Zurich is a strong advocate for people with disabilities. The 35-year-old from Zurich with Kosovan roots is physically and verbally severely disabled and is involved in self-help associations and, above all, in politics for the equality of people with disabilities. The self-proclaimed "handicap lobbyist" wants his two children to grow up in a society in which their father is not perceived as inferior. In 2019, Alijaj ran for the National Council and fell just short of entering parliament, missing out on 14,000 votes - next year he will run for the Zurich municipal council.

Cindy Kronenberg from Sursee in the canton of Lucerne stands up for victims of rape. The 29-year-old youth worker was herself the victim of a sexual crime - although it cost her a great deal of effort, she has since spoken publicly about her experience. She wants to encourage other victims and help them to come to terms with such an experience. In her fight against the associated taboo, she founded the platform Raped.ch. There, she exchanges ideas with other victims, provides helpful information and puts women in touch with experts. Kronenberg is also in contact with members of parliament and is campaigning for the ongoing revision of sexual criminal law.

The 49-year-old Gabriela Odermatt from Fällanden ZH is fighting against the use of harmful medication. Her children were both damaged by an epilepsy drug when they were unborn and now suffer from impairments such as autism and speech deficits. A neurologist had given her the drug "Depakine" with the active ingredient valproate during the pregnancies - although research has been pointing to possible damage to the fetus for years and developmental disorders have been documented for over 20 years. Gabriela Odermatt gives a voice to the victims and wants to set an example "against the arrogance of the doctors and the arrogance of the pharmaceutical giants."

André Plass from Wollerau uncovered irregularities in the hospital. The 48-year-old heart surgeon and then head physician at Zurich University Hospital reported to the hospital management, for example, that mistakes had been covered up during a new type of heart operation. The hospital spoke publicly of a successful operation - in reality, a wire broke during implantation. This fact is concealed on all channels. After the irregularities were reported, Plass came under internal pressure; he was accused of operating poorly. Although an external expert opinion exonerates him, he is dismissed by the university hospital: his behaviour is polarizing. Plass puts his career on the line for the truth and now legally defends himself against the dismissal.

The 74-year-old Albin Reichmuth from Olten stands up for the victims of sexual abuse. As a child, he was abused for years by a priest in Trimbach, Solothurn - he carried his suffering silently with him into old age. In 2018, Reichmuth contacted the parish council and launched an appeal - several people came forward who had also been abused by the priest. Reichmuth then went public with his story and stood up for the victims of abuse by Catholic dignitaries. In 2019, he set up a self-help group for those affected; this year saw the founding of the support association "IG für Missbrauchsbetroffene im kirchlichen Umfeld".

Peter Roth from Matten near Interlaken uncovered cheating in second homes. The 55-year-old investigates whether the use of second homes complies with the law. If he comes across any irregularities, he makes them public. Roth first made headlines in 2008 when he discovered that the proportion of first homes in many properties in his home town of Grindelwald was not recorded in the land register. If this obligation to register is circumvented, more second homes can be built and sold than the law allows. A check in 2020 shows that this situation has hardly changed. In the village, which is dependent on tourism, Roth experiences massive threats and is labeled a "nest-soiler". Despite this, he continues to campaign for compliance with the law.

Jelena Vorburger from Basel brings a man back to life. The 26-year-old catering specialist starts resuscitation without hesitation when an elderly man collapses on a train journey and loses his breathing and pulse after a short time. She is afraid of doing something wrong and starts chest compressions anyway. Unperturbed by the shouting of other train passengers, she continues pumping; five ribs break under the pressure. After 15 long minutes, the train arrives in Basel - the man suddenly gasps for air and survives. In Switzerland, around 8,000 people suffer a cardiovascular arrest every year. Only around 50 survive if it happens outside hospital.

Which of the seven nominees wins this year's main prize worth CHF 15,000 will be decided in equal parts by the Public observer voting now open and by the jury headed by former Aargau Cantonal Councillor Susanne Hochuli.

Lifetime Award for infectiologist Ruedi Lüthy

As in previous years, an additional award will also be presented directly as part of the Beobachter Prix Courage 2021: The Lifetime Award 2021 for special services to society goes to the infectiologist Ruedi Lüthy. He has been fighting AIDS for 40 years and is one of the pioneers in the fight against this disease. For his life's work, the editorial team of the Observer Ruedi Lüthy with the Prix Courage Lifetime Award 2021.

After a medical congress in Durban, South Africa, Lüthy decided that he would retire early. Together with his wife Rosy, a former nurse, the then 62-year-old founded the Newlands Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe. Today, 18 years later, Lüthy and his 75-strong team treat over 7,000 people every year. The clinic is financed by private donations and contributions from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Thousands of specialists have been trained in courses lasting several weeks. The fight against AIDS continues, but the task has become manageable.

"Out of respect for life, we have an obligation to help other people who are in need," says Ruedi Lüthy. "I am delighted to be able to accept this award with my team for their commitment."

Award ceremony live on Blick TV

This year's Prix Courage awards ceremony will once again take place at the Ringier Pressehaus on Dufourstrasse in Zurich. The announcement and award ceremony, interviews with the finalists and the presentation of the Lifetime Award to Ruedi Lüthy will take place on October 29, 2021 also broadcast on Blick TV.