The Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA) is accepting nominations for its 2017 annual awards in support of individuals working in the front-lines of civil society to promote and defend human rights. Nominees must currently be an individual, or organization, working to support human rights, however, entire organizations may also qualify for a nomination. All “regions, genders and human rights related themes” are welcome for MEA consideration and a panel of ten human rights organization will make the selection. Three finalists will be chosen and receive a prize of 11,500 CHF and a 5,000 CHF travel grant. The laureate will also be awarded 20,000 CHF to fund their work. The 2016 finalists include the Ethiopian Zone 9 Bloggers; the Uyghur intellectual and activist Illham Tohtil; and the Syrian human rights lawyer and journalist Razan Zaitouneh. The deadline for 2017 nominations is November 9, 2016. Visit the MEA website for more information about how to nominate a human rights defender here.