The Assembly of the Republic honours Professors Manuel Costa Andrade and Vital Moreira.

On 18 December, Professors Manuel da Costa Andrade and Vital Moreira, retired professors from the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra, were awarded the Gold Medal commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Assembly of the Republic.
The distinction was awarded in their capacity as Constituent Deputies responsible for drafting the title of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic relating to fundamental rights, highlighting the central role they played in drafting the constitutional framework of rights, freedoms and guarantees in Portugal.

The ceremony was part of the annual presentation of the Human Rights Award, established in 1998 by the Assembly of the Republic as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That year also saw the approval of the resolution establishing the National Human Rights Day, celebrated on 10 December, and establishing the annual awarding of this prize to individuals or organisations that stand out in the defence and promotion of these values.
The session was chaired by the President of the Assembly of the Republic, Dr. José Pedro Aguiar-Branco.