Iranian journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi to receive 2011 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize

Imprisoned Iranian journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi is the laureate of this year's UNESCO Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. He was selected by an independent international jury of 12 media professionals.

Endorsing the decision by the jury, Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, called for Mr Zeidabadi's release from prison.

Ahmad Zeidabadi is currently serving a six-year jail sentence following Iran's presidential election in 2009.

Announcing the decision, jury president Diana Senghor said: " The final choice of Ahmad Zeidabadi pays a tribute to his exceptional courage, resistance and commitment to freedom of expression, democracy, human rights, tolerance, and humanity. Beyond him, also the Prize will award the numerous Iranian journalists who are currently jailed."

The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, endorsed the jury's decision and called for Mr Zeidabadi's release from prison.

"Throughout his career Ahmad Zeidabadi has courageously and unceasingly spoken out for press freedom and freedom of expression, which is a fundamental human right that underpins all other civil liberties, a key ingredient of tolerant and open societies and vital for the rule of law and democratic governance," said the Director-General.




Source: United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization

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• World Press Freedom Day
• Ahmad Zeidabadi
• Elections
• Human rights