Enrique de la Mata Gorostizaga, Vice President of the International Red Cross, won the 1979 Gold Mercury International Award for his involvement in humanitarian relief activities in situations of conflict and for his efforts in trying to uphold humanitarian law around the world. Born in 1933 he served as the Minister for Trade Union Relations from 1976 to 1977 in the interim government which arose after Franco’s death. In this position, he was instrumental in allowing the trade unions back into Spain. He joined the Union of the Democratic Centre and was elected to the Spanish Congress of Deputies in 1979. He then became the Vice President of the International Red Cross, before serving as the President of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies from 1981 to 1987.