The award in the category “For achievements in the development and management of human rights organizations” went to historian, chair of the Ryzan Memorial Historical and Human Rights Organisation and editor of the website “Human Rights in Russia” (HRO.org), Andrei Blinushov.

The MHG award “For protection of human rights through culture and art” was given to the actress Liya Akhedzhakova (Moscow). The award’s organisers noted that Liya Akhedzhakova’s civic attitude was always clear in all of her creative work and public speeches.

The award "For bravery in the protection of human rights” was won by Chelyabinsk human rights defender Valeria Prikhodkina.

The winner in the category “For historic contribution to the protection of human rights and the human rights movement” was director of the Independent Psychiatric Association of Russia, Yury Savenko (Moscow).

In the category “For journalistic activities for promoting human rights value” the award was given to human rights defender and journalist Liubov Bashinova (Moscow).

The award “For contribution to human rights education” went to director of the International Protection Centre, Oksana Preobrazhenskaya (Moscow).

Chair of Ryazan Memorial, Andrei Blinushov, was awarded “For achievements in the development and management of human rights organizations”. Photo HRO.org 

The MHG award in the category “For the upholding of human rights in court” was awarded to the head of the Committee of Soldiers’ Mothers of the Kalingrad Region, Maria Bontsler

The MHG award “For activities in the protection of social rights and the interests of local communities” went to the head of the Udmurt regional branch of the Movement For Human Rights and chair of the Public Oversight Commission for the Udmurt Region, Larisa Fefilova.

The award in the category “For expertise and research activities in the field of human rights” was won by director of the Sova Centre and member of the Presidential Human Rights Council, Aleksandr Verkhovsky. 

The award “For the development of the traditions of human rights protection among youth” went to human rights defender and political scientist Dmitry Makarov from Voronezh.

The head of the Presidential Administration for the President of Russia, Vyacheslav Volodin, came to the ceremony at the Sakharov Centre to congratulate the winners. 

As soon as he arrived, he was greeted with a “difficult” question: “Will the amnesty apply to political prisoners?” He responded, “It depends who you consider to be political prisoners?” A question then came from the audience: “But who do you consider to be political prisoners?” No answer was given.

The head of the Independent Psychiatric Association, Yuri Savenko, receives the MHG award. A bouquet was presented to the laureate by the executive director of MHG, Nina Tagankina. Photo HRO.org