MOHAMED ZAREE
Egyptian activist receives Martin Ennals Foundation’s annual prize, considered one of the most prestigious human rights awards
1 Zaree, the country director of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, was recognised for his contribution to promoting human rights amid the government’s escalating harassment and intimidation of activists. Since he has been barred from travelling, he was unable to attend the award ceremony in Geneva
2 A jury drawn from 10 international organisations observed that Zaree is “at high risk” of prosecution and life imprisonment under a strict law that President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi signed in May severely curtailing the work of aid groups
3 Sometimes referred to as the Nobel of human rights prizes, the award recognises those who “have shown deep commitment to human rights and face great personal risk”.