The “Institute of Human Rights and Civil Stance,” a local NGO in Azerbaijan, determined people who distinguished themselves in the field of human rights and building a civil society in 2006, most of the recipients were members of the press. “The freedom of speech and freedom of the media situations are getting worse. However, despite of human rights violations, the number of people struggling for citizens´ rights and freedoms is growing”, said the director of the Institute Ilgar Ibrahimoglu (on the right). (26-DEC-06)

Written by Shahla Ismailova/HRH Baku on the basis of information received from Turan IA and Institute for Reporter Freedom and Safety; photos by Shahla Ismailova and IRFS.
Institute for Reporter Freedom and Safety Director Emin Huseynov, right, received the “Freedom of the Speech and Press” Award for his “self-sacrificing struggle” for freedom of the media and educational rights of citizens. The editor of the web site www.Day.az, Elnur Bayramov, received an award for his contribution to the development of civil society through the dissemination of “objective and operative information.” Political scientist Zardusht Alizadeh was awarded an honorary diploma of the Institute for “active civil position.” Zafar Guliyev, an analytical scientist of TURAN news agency, received the award for “Contribution to Development of Civil Society.” Aytan Gurbanova, student of Sumgait State University, has become laureate of the Institute´s prize for her contribution to protection of freedom of conscience and religious liberty. The winners were given honorary diplomas and gifts.