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By Country / Iran

Prominent Iranian Journalist Wins Democracy Award

April 27, 2007

Akbar Ganji in June 2006 (RFE/RL)

April 27, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji has won the prestigious Speaker Abbot Award from the U.K.'s House of Commons Press Gallery for his fight for parliamentary democracy in Iran, Radio Farda reported.

The Abbot Award is awarded annually to a journalist who is considered to have made the greatest contribution internationally to the protection, promotion, and perpetuation of parliamentary democracy.

Ganji told Radio Farda on April 26 that the international community should support the democratic aspirations of the Iranian people.

"Those who fight for democracy inside the country are being suppressed by the regime and in these conditions, the moral support of the international civil society bodies gives a moral justification to this fight and it condemns a regime that is cracking down on its citizens," he said.

Ganji was released in Iran in 2005 after spending five years in prison.

He's been on an international tour since his release, appealing for human rights and freedom in Iran.

FURTHER READING
Ganji Urges Accountability, Restraint In June 2006, Akbar Ganji urged the international community not to try to impose its will on Iran. more	Interview With Akbar Ganji In July 2006, Ganji told Radio Farda that a "transition to democracy" is possible in Iran. more