Hong Kong Based Journalist Awarded on International Press Freedom Day

On International Press Freedom Day, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel awarded the "grand prix" of the 2006 Natali Prize competition to the Hong Kong based journalist Leu Siew Ying, for her report "From Village Protest to National Flashpoint".

The award-winning article tells the story of villagers in Guangzhou/Southern China who try to recall their elected headman for suspected corruption. Fourteen other journalists also received Natali Prizes for their commitment to Human Rights and Democracy.

Congratulating Mrs Leu Siew Ying, Commissioner Michel expressed his belief that "principled and skilled journalists are vital to the defence of democracy and human rights. Without democracy, without freedom of press, development cannot be sustainable".

Louis Michel also used the opportunity to support the call for the release of the BBC correspondent in Gaza Alan Johnston who is held hostage since 12 March.

Leu Siew Ying was chosen by an independent jury from among 15 nominees, all of who were present at the ceremony.

The journalists Tanya FARBER (South Africa), Mauri KONIG (Brazil), Michael TIERNEY (United Kingdom) and Talal EL-ATRACHE (Lebanon) also received first prizes in their respective regions.

The Natali Prize commemorates Lorenzo Natali, a former European Commissioner for Development and a fervent defender of Human Rights. It comprises five regional prizes: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Arab World, Lebanon and Israel.

This year, the prize attracted a record interest, with 1529 nominees from 165 countries. The 15 prize winners were selected by an independent jury drawn from representatives of organisations such as Reporters sans Frontières, Amnesty International and major newspapers and press agencies. The jury was chaired by the CNN "Inside Africa" anchor, Ms Femi OKE.

The prize winners were:

Africa:
1st Prize : Tanya FARBER (South Africa)
« The bulb of Life » published in The Star
2nd Prize : Robert MUGAGGA (Uganda)
« Why its dangerous being born in Uganda » published in The Weekly Observer »
3rd Prize : Lucky GEORGE (Nigeria)
« Hardway to Europe » published in: Business Day

Latin America / Caribbean:
1st Prize : Mauri KONIG (Brasil)
« A infância no limite II - No bordel, a debutante da selva » published in: Gazeta do Povo
2nd Prize: Maria Teresa RONDEROS TORRES (Colombia)
« El turno de las victimas » published in: Semana
3rd Prize: Maria Paz CUEVAS (Chile)
« Perdido en Santiago » published in : Fibra

Asia-Pacific:
1st Prize : Leu SIEW YING (China / HongKong)
« From Village Protest to National Flashpoint » published in: South China Morning Post
2nd Prize: Syed Shoaib HASAN (Pakistan)
« Missing » published in: Herald Magazin
3rd Prize : Massoud ANSARI (Pakistan)
« Educating the Future » published in: Newsline

Europe:
1st Prize : Michael TIERNEY (United Kingdom)
« Dream Makers » published in: The Herald Magazine
2nd Prize : Andrej DYNKO (Belorussia)
« Sacrificial Therapy - Letter from a Prison in Minsk » first published by: Nasha Niva
3rd Prize: Mario KAISER (Germany)
« Der Pfad des Teufels » published in : Park Avenue

Arab World, Lebanon and Israel:
1st Prize : Talal EL-ATRACHE (Lebanon)
« Quand l'exception devient la règle » published in : L'Hebdo Magazine
2nd Prize: Mohammad BEN HUSSEIN (Jordania)
« Reputation and Honour more important than Life » published in: Focus Today
3rd Prize: Aijaz ZAKA SYED (United Arab Emirates)
« Disgrace of Darfur » published in : Khaleej Times