GENEVA - A Sudanese refugee held in one of Australia's offshore migrant detention sites for six years was on Wednesday awarded the world's most prestigious human rights prize. Muhamat described how he fled the violence in Darfur, first to Khartoum and later making his way to Indonesia. Turkish human rights activist Eren Keskin was meanwhile recognised for speaking out for decades against sexual violence and torture, as well as for Kurdish, women and LGBTI rights. She had to appear via video link at the ceremony since she has been barred from leaving Turkey. The Martin Ennals foundation is named after the first secretary general of Amnesty International and the 30,000 Swiss franc ($30,000, 26,000 euros) prize is judged by the London-based rights group, along with Human Rights Watch and other leading organisations.

Source: Bangkok Post February 13, 2019 20:15 UTC