Bahrain Mirror- Exclusive: The selection panel of the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize, comprising independent figures from the world of human rights and chaired by the President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Liliane Maury Pasquier, has drawn up the shortlist for the Prize in Prague.

The panel nominated the prominent Bahraini activist Nabeel Rajab among a list that also includes Rosa María Payá and Oyub Titiev from the Russian Federation.

The overall winner of the annual prize, which rewards outstanding civil society action in the defence of human rights in Europe and beyond, is due to be announced at the opening of the autumn plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg on October 8, 2018.

"In this year which marks the 50th anniversary of the repression of the Prague Spring, Václav Havel's legacy resonates in a special way. Every day, in Europe and throughout the world, women and men fight tirelessly to defend human rights - the rights of us all. Unfortunately, all too often, these persons are becoming increasingly targets for reprisals: judicial or administrative harassment, defamation campaigns and the opening of judicial investigations on dubious charges, threats, physical attacks or arbitrary detention. In the face of these threats, their immense courage and unfailing determination deserve our deepest respect. Through the award of the Václav Havel Prize we wish to express our recognition, our support and also our gratitude," said the President, announcing the shortlist.

Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent is an award established in 2012 by the New York City-based Human Rights Foundation. According to HRF President Thor Halvorssen, the prize recognizes individuals "who engage in creative dissent, exhibiting courage and creativity to challenge injustice and live in truth".

Named in honor of Czech dissident playwright and politician Václav Havel, who had died the previous December, the award was founded with the help of his widow, Dagmar Havlová.

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