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”. 
