Liberty, JUSTICE and the Law Society are calling for nominations for their annual Human Rights Awards.

The Human Rights Awards recognise and encourage individuals and organisations whose work is dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of others.

There are three categories for nomination:

The Human Rights Lawyer of the Year
The Human Rights Award (for non legal individuals or organisations)
The Peter Duffy Award (for under-35s in any type of work)

The winners are decided by an independent panel of judges and will be presented on 12 December 2005, at a high profile ceremony before an invited audience.

Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty said:

“In 1948, with the horror of genocide fresh in its mind, the UK government signed the UN Declaration on Human Rights. Yet today, some senior politicians show little understanding of, or regard for, the principles that underpin those rights.

These Awards remind us all of the valuable work that continues.”

Roger Smith, Director of JUSTICE said:

“With these Awards we aim to recognise those whose unstinting work protects vulnerable individuals and upholds precious rights – and to ensure that others are inspired by their example.

This is not just about well known campaigners and lawyers - we want nominations from all over the country, from law centres and local community groups.”

More information about the Awards and making a nomination is available at www.justice.org.uk and www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk.

NOTES FOR EDITORS
The Human Rights Awards are sponsored by the General Council of the Bar and Institute of Legal Executives.
Nominations can be made by anyone, but must be supported by a statement of up to 400 words. The deadline for nominations is 5pm Tuesday 8 November.
This is the fifth year that Liberty, JUSTICE and the Law Society have jointly organised the awards. Prior to 2000 Liberty and JUSTICE ran separate awards schemes.
The Awards will be held at the Law Society on Monday 12 December, in commemoration of UN International Human Rights Day. Admission is by invitation only.
UN Human Rights Day, 10 December, marks the anniversary of the Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
The Peter Duffy Award commemorates the life and achievements of one of the UK’s most highly dedicated human rights lawyers. Peter Duffy QC was particularly supportive of younger lawyers, giving freely of his time and skills. An important part of his human rights work was done pro bono for organisations including Liberty and JUSTICE.
Any enquiries should be made to Zoe Gillard (Liberty) on 020 7378 3667 or
Sam Watson (JUSTICE) on 020 7762 6419.

The 2005 Judging Panel:

Mohammed Aziz, CRE Commissioner and member of government taskforce on the Commission for Equality & Human Rights

Sir Nicolas Bratza QC, Judge, European Court of Human Rights

Diane Burleigh, Secretary General of the Institute of Legal Executives

Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty

Mrs Justice Cox DBE, Judge of the High Court of England and Wales

Steve Hynes, Director of Law Centres Federation

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, House of Lords

Guy Mansfield QC, Chair of General Council of the Bar

Kevin Martin, President of the Law Society

Roger Smith, Director of JUSTICE

Last year’s winners:
Gareth Peirce and Louise Christian – civil liberty lawyers acting for detainees interned in Belmarsh prison and Guantanamo Bay - were honoured for their ‘outstanding contribution in defending the rule of law’.

Lawyer of the Year was named as the Birmingham-based anti-war solicitor, Phil Shiner, who represents Iraqi civilians tortured and killed by British forces.

Awards were also given to the Gypsy and Travellers Law Reform Coalition, and Carolina Gottardo of the British Institute of Human Rights for their community outreach work.