DUSHANBE, December 2, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Tajikistan’s Republican Bureau on Human Rights and Rule of Law (BHR) has instituted an annual award for human rights activists – The Best Human Rights Activist of Year.

The BHR director Nargis Zokirova says researcher, politician or public figure, journalist, representative of human rights organization, government institution or international organization active in Tajikistan may be selected as recipient for the BHR Award.  “Recipients for the award are selected for their significant contributions in the area of protection of human rights,” Ms. Zokirova noted.

This year, the award ceremony will be held in early December at one of events of the BHR dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the organization.

Representatives of civil society and governmental organizations have been selected as recipients for the BHR Award 2009.  A special committee, comprising representatives from human rights and international organizations as well as representatives from the Human Rights Ombudsman Office of Tajikistan, will determine the prize winner.

The Republican Bureau on Human Right and Rule of Law of Tajikistan was established in November 1999.  It was registered with the Ministry of Justice on April 3, 2000.