LOCAL human rights lobby group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) on Tuesday, observed as International Human Rights Day, received a special-mention medal from the Republic of France for its efforts in combating impunity.

The prize was one of five awarded to runners-up of the Prix des droits de l’homme de la République Française (human rights prize of the French Republic) for 2012. Five other NGOs were presented with the top prize, and will share a total of 75,000.

JFJ was selected from among more than 200 competitors, the Embassy of France in Jamaica said in a release to the media. The medal was handed over to JFJ board chairman Susan Goffe by French Ambassador Ginette de Matha.

The Prix des droits de l’homme de la République Française was created in 1988 by the French consultative committee for human rights, an independent body which was founded in 1947 and which comprises 64 leading figures from civil society.

It recognises the work done by non-governmental, non-profit organisations dedicated to the defence and promotion of human rights, and is awarded for individual or collective action on the ground, irrespective of nationality or borders, undertaken in France or abroad, with respect to one of two themes: fight against impunity; and protection of economic and social rights and sustainable development.

“In respect of the spirit of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the selection is made among candidates presenting cases showing the effectiveness of their action in the field of promoting human rights,” said the embassy.