May 22 2006

The Jury of the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA), of which Front Line is a member, announced on 22 May in Atlanta that the 2006 winners are Akbar Ganji, Iran, and Arnold Tsunga, Zimbabwe

Akbar Ganji is an investigative journalist, turned human rights defender, who was jailed for six years on charges of “collecting confidential information harmful to national security”. In spite of physical abuse, he steadfastly refused to compromise on the principles of democracy and human rights for all Iranians. He was conditionally released from prison last April after serving his sentence.

Arnold Tsunga is a human rights lawyer and Chairman of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, who continues to provide a voice to Zimbabweans silenced by repression. He is constantly harassed and threatened for representing victims of human rights violations. He was arrested several times and recently released on bail.

The Chairman of the Jury of the MEA, Hans Thoolen said of the two men:” They are symbols of the human rights movement in their respective countries, where standing up for human rights and democracy is a dangerous activity”.

Front Line and the ten other organisations on the jury of the MEA call on the Governments of Iran and Zimbabwe to ensure the safety of the laureates and allow them to work without intimidation and harassment. The Ceremony will take place in Geneva on 12 October.

Background The Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA) is a unique collaboration among eleven of the world’s leading human rights organizations to give protection to human rights defenders worldwide. The Jury is composed of the following NGOs: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights First, International Federation for Human Rights, World Organization Against Torture, International Service for Human Rights, Front Line, International Commission of Jurists, Diakonie Germany, International Alert, and Huridocs.

The previous laureates are: Aktham Naisse, Syria (2005); Lida Yusupova, Russia; Alirio Munoz, Colombia; Jacqueline Moudeina, Chad; Peace Brigades International; Immaculee Birhaheka, DR Congo; Natasha Kandic, Yugoslavia; Eyad El Sarraj, Palestine; Samuel Ruiz, Mexico; Clement Nwankwo, Nigeria; Asma Jahangir, Pakistan; Harry Wu, China.

The award patrons are: Asma Jahangir, Barbara Hendricks, Jose Ramos-Horta, Adama Dieng, Leandro Despouy, Robert Fulghum and Theo van Boven.