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Registration to attend one of the human rights movement's most significant awards, the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA), is now open. The event will take place on Friday 15 October at Victoria Hall in Geneva, at 18h00 sharp. Those wanting to attend should register at www.martinennalsaward.org to receive an invitation.
 The ceremony will mark the achievements of this year's recipient, Muhannad Al-Hassani, a Syrian lawyer who has bravely defended human rights and challenged the oppressive legal framework imposed by the Syrian government.
His work – creating a local human rights organisation and reporting on the proceedings of the State Security Court - has led to his recent imprisonment. The three-year prison term will prevent him from being able to attend the award ceremony in person.
The Martin Ennals Award is granted each year to a person who has demonstrated an exceptional record of combating human rights violations by courageous and innovative means.
'Mr Al-Hassani is a man of exceptional courage, who has been arbitrarily detained for defending the rule of law and the freedom of association,' says Hans Thoolen, Chair of the Jury of the MEA.
The MEA aims to encourage human rights defenders who are at risk and in need of immediate protection. The publicity given to the work of the awarded human rights defender helps to deliver this protection. In addition, prize money of 20,000 Swiss Francs is given to the recipient for furthering their work in the field of human rights.
The MEA is the result of a unique collaboration of ten of the world's leading human rights NGOs, including the International Service for Human Rights. The other organisations are: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, International Federation of Human Rights, World Organisation Against Torture, Front Line, International Commission of Jurists, Human Rights First, Diakonie Germany and HURIDOCS. These organisations form the Jury for the awards.
More about this year's MEA Laureate
Muhannad Al-Hassani, is a Syrian lawyer who has bravely defended human rights and challenged the oppressive legal framework imposed by the Syrian government. He is the President of the Syrian Organization for Human Rights (Swasiya), a leading human rights organisation that has been denied official registration by the Syrian authorities for the past six years.
Mr Al-Hassani was arrested on 28 July 2009 for reporting on legal proceedings before the State Security Court. A judge charged him, under Article 286 of the Syrian Penal code, with 'weakening national sentiments' and 'spreading false news.' Mr Al-Hassani spent a year in pre-trial arrest, before being sentenced to three years imprisonment. He has committed no crime and done nothing but defend the rights of others.
In addition, in an appalling demonstration of servility to the Government, the Damascus Section of the Syrian Bar Association made a ruling in 2009 prohibiting Mr Al-Hassani from practicing law for the rest of his life.
The Laureate has come under increasing and undue pressure as a result of carrying out his lawful professional functions. He has been subjected to a travel ban for the last six years. His office and all communications have been under constant surveillance by Syrian security forces for the past six years.
It is hoped the Martin Ennals Award will increase the visibility of Mr Al-Hassani's situation and his valuable work. He has suffered intense persecution for his work.
ISHR encourages people to come along to the awards ceremony to show solidarity for Mr Al-Hassani's efforts and the work of human rights defenders all over the world.
To find out more about the Martin Ennals Award or to register, visit the official website www.martinennalsaward.org
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