Norway congratulates Bahrain Center for Human Rights on award of 2013 Rafto Prize

“The prize recognises the courageous and valuable work of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights to promote respect for fundamental human rights in Bahrain. In Norway’s view, independent voices and institutions are vital for promoting freedom of expression. For several years the Bahrain Center for Human Rights has carried out important work in documenting discrimination and violations of freedom of expression and assembly,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. 

It was announced today that the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) has been awarded the 2013 Rafto Prize. The Center was established in 2002. In its announcement, the Board of the Rafto Foundation emphasised the Center’s longstanding efforts to promote human rights in Bahrain and draw attention to violations of human rights in an area of the world where this often receives little attention from Western countries.  

“The award of the Rafto Prize to the Bahrain Center for Human Rights is also a signal of support and recognition of the important and challenging work being done by human rights defenders in the Gulf region. Norway is following developments in Bahrain closely and is concerned about the human rights situation. We are therefore pleased that an institution from Bahrain has been awarded the 2013 Rafto Prize. We hope that the prize will help to promote wider recognition and respect for the fact that human rights apply to all people – including vulnerable groups such as women, children and migrant workers,” Mr Eide said.