Russian human rights activist nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

Svetlana Gannushkina, one of the veterans of Russia’s human rights movement, has been nominated for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize.

“My candidates are human rights defense organization ‘Memorial’ and leader Svetlana Gannushkina,” Minister of Social Affairs of Norway, Erna Solberg, told Norwegian newspaper VG, AFP reports.

Gannushkina is the Directors of Citizen’s Aid, an NGO that assists refugees. She is also on the board of directors of human rights center “Memorial” – the oldest human rights organization in Russia.

A mathematician by training, Gannushkina has been defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons since the 1980s. She also helped to found Memorial, where she runs a program on Migration and Law, and is a member of the Presidential Commission for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights.

Other nominees for the Prize include Liu Xiaobo, a recently jailed Chinese dissident, and the Internet – for promoting dialogue and democracy.

The winner will be announced in October.