Azerbaijani activist named as rights prize finalist

Azerbaijani human rights activist Anar Mammadli has been named as one of three finalists for the 2014 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize.

The panel that selects prize winner, meeting in Prague on August 26, also named two organizations as finalists.

They are Israel's B'tselem, which defends the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians, and the Malta Branch of the international Jesuit Refugee Service, a group that defends the rights of asylum seekers.

The finalists were selected from a list of 56 candidates.

The panel will designate the winner on September 28 and announce its decision on September 29.

The $79,000 prize, now in its second year, aims to reward outstanding civil society action in the defense of human rights.

The 2013 prize was awarded to Belarusian human rights activist Ales Byalyatski.

(RFE/RL)

Bakudaily.Az