Last updated: 7 october, 2009 - 18:45 GMT

Human Rights Champion

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An Ethiopian lawyer and Congolese women's activist have been named as two winners of a new award by the campaign group Human Rights Watch.

The two campaigners will receive the Alison Des Forges Defender Award for Extraordinary Activism, which aims to celebrate individuals from around the world who have worked under difficult circumstances to protect human rights.

Daniel Bekele has been recognised for his efforts to encourage voter education during Ethiopia's 2005 elections. Matild Muhindo, was praised for her work to stop sexual violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

BBC Focus on Africa's Hassan Arouni caught up with Daniel Bekele who is currently studying in the UK.

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