One of the only remaining human rights organisations still operating in war-torn Chechnya has been honoured with a major human rights award. The Martin Ennals Foundation (MEF) has given its 2004 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders to Lida Yusupova, co-ordinator of the Grozny office of Memorial, a Moscow-based human rights organisation.

The organisation provides the world with crucial information on human rights violations in Chechnya and has been targeted by the Russian army for its work, says MEF. For the past three years, Yusupova has investigated killings and disappearances in Chechnya and assisted victims of human rights abuses by collecting testimonies and providing legal assistance.

"Lida is one of the most courageous women in Europe [and] deserves the award for her tireless efforts in a situation of war and extreme danger," MEF says.

Named after the first secretary general of Amnesty International, the Martin Ennals Award is given annually to a human rights defender or organisation that has shown exceptional courage in the face of overwhelming odds. The winner is selected by a jury comprised of 10 international human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch - an IFEX member.

Visit these links
- Martin Ennals Award: http://www.martinennalsaward.org
- Human Rights Watch: http://www.hrwatch.org/press/2003/12/chechnya120503.htm