PARIS: French Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet handed over her country’s prestigious Human Rights Prize to the Freedom Network, a Pakistani civil liberties organisation working on the issues of freedom of expression, media freedoms and safety of journalists.

According to a press release, the award was given to the Freedom Network for its excellent work for freedom of information, the press and journalism, at a glittering ceremony in Paris.

“I dedicate this award to all those journalists, media workers, bloggers and human rights and civil society activists in Pakistan who have either sacrificed their lives or continue to face myriad pressures to uphold these fundamental freedoms,” said Iqbal Khattak, the executive director of the Islamabad-based Freedom Network in remarks made after receiving the prize.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2017