Binayak gets South Korean human rights prize

New Delhi (PTI) - Civil rights activist Binayak
Sen, recently freed on bail by the Supreme Court in a sedition
case, has been honoured with the 2011 Gwangju Prize for Human
Rights, South Korea's most prestigious award for those working
on peace, democracy and justice in Asia.
The award was announced Thursday by 2011 Gwangju Prize
Committee in Seoul.
The prize, which carries a sum of USD 50,000 is
awarded each year on May 18 -- on the anniversary of the May
1980 Gwangju democratic uprising -- to a person or
organisation who has made significant contributions in the
field of human rights and democracy.
"Dr Sen, as an accomplished medical practitioner has
distinguished himself by his devotion to providing health
services for the poor and by his strong advocacy against human
rights violations and structural violence inflicted on the
poor," the award jury said in a statement on the website of
May 18 Memorial Foundation.
"He has also been active in the People's Union for
Civil Liberties documenting human rights violations occurring
during the anti-Naxalite conflict," it said.
The jury this year received 32 nominations from
countries all around Asia. Xanana Gusmao, the leader of the
East Timore struggle for independence was the first awardee of
the Gwangju Prize when it was launched in 2000, while Burmese
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi won it in 2004. Irom
Sharmila, the Manipuri human rights activist, is the previous
Indian winner of the Gwangju Prize.