Iran: Human rights defender and journalist Akbar Ganji wins Rights & Democracy's 2007 John Humphrey Freedom Award
Iranian human rights defender and journalist Akbar Ganji has won the 2007 John Humphrey Freedom Award. The John Humphrey Freedom Award is awarded annually by the Canadian organization Rights and Democracy, to an organization or individual from any country or region of the world for exceptional achievement in the promotion of human rights and democratic development.
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Akbar Ganji is an investigative journalist, 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 in April 2006 after serving his sentence.
Akbar Ganji was also awarded the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights defenders in 2006.