LOCAL human rights lobby group Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) has been awarded the German Human Rights Award 2002.

The award will be presented to the organisation’s executive director, Dr Carolyn Gomes, at a ceremony in Weimar, Germany next month, German ambassador to Jamaica, Dr Christian Hausmann, told a news conference in Kingston yesterday.

The award is conferred on persons and/or organisations actively advocating humanity and tolerance, especially those who work for the establishment of the fundamental principles of equality and freedom. It is made by the city of Weimar in commemoration of the infamous Buchenwald concentration camp in Weimar, where, under the Nazi regime between 1932 and 1945, innocent citizens were imprisoned, tortured and murdered.

Hausmann explained that the Lord Mayor of Weimar city, Dr Volkhardt Germar, in a letter advising JFJ of the award, said it was made “in consideration of Weimar’s special responsibility, growing out of its history and as a signal to all the unarmed victims of dictatorship and other tyrannies throughout the world”.

Recipients of the award, which was founded in 1995, include the mayor of Tuzla, Bosnia, Selim Beslagic, for his efforts towards a multi-ethnic society; Colombian Dr Lais Guillermo Perez Casas, for the defence of the poor and outlawed; and Nigerian Dr Beleo Ransome-Kuti for his fight for human rights and better medical care.

Gomes, reacting to the announcement, said she was humbled, elated and energised by the award. Pointing out that JFJ was founded in 1999 after the three-day gas riots, she said it was heartening that the group’s work was recognised abroad by the Amnesty International chapter in Germany.

JFJ chairperson, Susan Goffe, said the award recognises the significance of the organisation as local human rights defenders in an international context.

“At a time when the work of the JFJ, on behalf of those being mishandled in the justice system, is both misunderstood and maligned, it is extremely gratifying to be honoured,” Goffe said.