Bahrain Mirror: The 2016 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Awards announced the Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace, a senior member of the Bahraini Haq Movement for Liberty and Democracy, was among the 20 nominees shortlisted from over 400 nominations worldwide to receive the award.

It said: "Many of the 20 shortlisted nominees are regularly targeted by authorities or by criminal and extremist groups for their work: some face regular death threats, others criminal prosecution."

"The imprisoned Bahraini academic and blogger Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace continued to protest in prison despite being subjected to torture and abuse for daring to speak out on human rights abuses in his country," the organization added in a statement.

Besides Al-Singace, the Index awards shortlist included artists, writers, journalists and campaigners tackling censorship and fighting for freedom of expression. The winners will be announced at a ceremony at The Unicorn Theatre, London, on 13 April.

"Censorship is not something that happens ‘somewhere else'," said Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of Index on Censorship. "It occurs on a daily basis in every country, in every part of the world. The shortlist honours those who are among the bravest and most creative in tackling such threats."

Awards are offered in four categories: journalism; arts; campaigning; and digital activism. Al-Signace was nominated under the "campaigning" section where he competes with Vanessa Berhe from the United States, Bolo Bhi from Pakistan, Nkosilathi Emmanuel Moyo  from Zimbabwe and Pu Zhiqiang from China.

Judges for this year's awards are Nobel Prize-winning author Wole Soyinka, pianist James Rhodes, tech entrepreneur Bindi Karia, Colombian journalist Maria Teresa Ronderos, human rights lawyer Kirsty Brimelow QC and Bahraini campaigner Nabeel Rajab.

It is to mention that the "Index on Censorship" is a UK-based non-profit organisation that publishes work by censored writers and artists and campaigns against censorship worldwide. This award is granted to human rights activists who work amid highly charged political atmosphere and play key role in documenting the human rights violations and torture in their countries.

Bahrain Center for Human Rights has already won "Index" award for freedom of opinion and expression and it was delivered to its president, Nabeel Rajab, in a ceremony organized in the British capital on March 28, 2012.

Arabic Issue