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Mohamed Lotfy (right) with his wife, the imprisoned activist Amal Fathy

Mohamed Lotfy, executive director of the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, the organisation that won the 2018 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award for Campaigning, has been awarded the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, which is given each year to those who have made outstanding contributions to the protection and promotion of human rights and the rule of law.

“Index on Censorship is very happy to see Mohamed Lotfy’s outstanding work recognised in this way,” said Perla Hinojosa, fellowships and advocacy officer at Index. “We hope this award will help in highlighting injustices occurring in Egypt and the important and much-needed work ECRF does in defending and protecting human rights.”

The announcement was made by Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and his German counterpart, Heiko Maas, on 21 November. Lotfy is one of 15 human rights defenders who will receive the award. The official ceremony will be on Human Rights Day on 10 December 2018.

The news comes one day after Lofty marked his four-year wedding anniversary with his wife Amal Fathy, who has been detained since May after posting a video criticising sexual harassment in Egypt.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”4″ element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1554195663833-6f93bcae-39d6-8″ taxonomies=”24136″][/vc_column][/vc_row]