Jailed rights activist wins award

Binayak Sen has been in jail for nearly a year (Photo: Global Health Council)

A human rights activist in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh has been awarded the prestigious Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights.

The Global Health Council said Dr Binayak Sen was chosen for his services to poor and tribal communities.

He was also chosen for what the council called his unwavering commitment to civil liberties and human rights.

Dr Sen is in prison accused of links to Maoist rebels.

He has been held without trial for nearly a year. He denies the charges.

Dr Sen is also the vice president of the Indian human rights group People's Union for Civil Liberties.

The Mann award is given yearly in memory of Dr Jonathan Mann, an epidemiologist who set up the World Health Organisation's first Aids programme.

The award was decided by an international jury of public health professionals.

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