(New York, July 20, 2005) - Journalists, novelists and Internet writers from 17 countries received Hellman/Hammett grants in recognition of their courage in the face of political persecution.
The Hellman/Hammett grants are given annually to writers around the world who have been targets of political persecution. The grant program began in 1989 when the U.S. playwright Lillian Hellman willed that her estate be used to assist writers in financial need as a result of expressing their views. Ms. Hellman was prompted by her experiences during the anti-communist hysteria of the 1950s, when she and her longtime companion, the writer Dashiell Hammett, were questioned by U.S. Congressional committees about their political beliefs and affiliations.The writers honored this year have been harassed, assaulted, indicted, jailed on trumped up charges, or tortured merely for providing information from nongovernmental sources. In addition to those who are directly targeted, many others are forced to practice self-censorship.
Some of this year's recipients have asked to remain anonymous because of possible continuing danger to them and their families. The recipients who can safely receive publicity include:
Americas:
Hollman Morris (Colombia), investigative journalist.
Pierre Elisem (Haiti), radio journalist
Africa:
Kum Margaret (Cameroon), freelance journalist
Tewodros Kassa (Ethiopia), newspaper editor
Isioma Daniel (Nigeria), newspaper journalist
Ismail Mbonigaba (Rwanda), journalist and newspaper editor
Europe:
Yuri Bagrov (Russia), reporter
Middle East and North Africa:
Assurbanipal Babilla (Iran), playwright and painter
Ali-Reza Jabari (Iran), academic editor, a poet, and a social historian
Omid Memarian (Iran), journalist and Internet writer
Sina Mottalebi (Iran), journalist and Internet writer
Taqi Rahmani (Iran), author of 26 books and monographs
Ali Lmrabet (Morocco), journalist and newspaper editor
Maha Hassan (Syria), novelist and essayist
Abdallah Zouari (Tunisia), writer and high school teacher
Asia:
Saleem Samad (Bangladesh), journalist
Bao Zunxin (China), editor-in-chief of several journals
Guo Qinghai (China), political and economic essayist
Yu Shicun (China), poet, essayist and teacher
Ameera Javeria (Pakistan), journalist
For detailed information on each award winner, see http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/07/19/global11332.htm.
In the 15 previous years of the Hellman/Hammett grant program, more than 500 writers received grants totaling more than $2.5 million. The Hellman/Hammett program also makes small emergency grants throughout the year to writers who have an urgent need to leave their country or who need immediate medical treatment after serving prison terms or enduring torture.
Related Material
Short Biographies of 2005 Hellman/Hammett Award Winners
Background Briefing, July 19, 2005