The Martin Ennals Foundation is calling for nominations of an individual or organisation for the award of its 2015 Human Rights Defenders Award in recognition of their commitment and ongoing efforts in the defense and promotion of human rights.
The award which is valued at 20,000 Swiss Francs (approx. $21,000) is to be used for more work in the field of human rights and aims to encourage individuals or organisations, particularly those who are working in conditions hostile to fundamental human rights and who are in need of protection.
The Martin Ennals Award (MEA) nominees must be currently involved in working for the promotion and protection of human rights. Special considerations are given to those who are at risk and have demonstrated an active record of combating human rights violations by courageous and innovative means.
The Jury panel for selection of recipients are: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Front Line Defenders, Human Rights First, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), Protestant Agency for Diakonia and Development (Germany) and HURIDOCS.
The MEA ceremony will take place in Geneva in 2015 and each of the final three nominees will receive project funds of 11,650 CHF and a 5,000 CHF travel grant.
Deadline for submission is on December 9, 2014 and nominations can be submitted electronically at www.martinennalsaward.org
Martin Ennals (1927-1991) was a British human rights activist who served as the Secretary-General of Amnesty International. He went on to help found the British human rights organisation ARTICLE 19, followed by International Alert. He was instrumental to the modern human rights movement. He creatively pursued ideas ahead of his time and was the driving force behind other organisations. His deep desire was to see more cooperation among NGOs.
