Prize for rights campaigner

A Honduran priest who is risking his life to defend freedom of expression will be awarded this year’s prestigious Rafto Prize for human rights, writes Isabel de Bertodano.

Fr Ismael Moreno Coto (right) known as Padre Melo, is a writer and campaigner who leads two human rights organisations in El Progreso, Honduras.

Through his radio station, Radio Progreso, Padre Melo pursues investigative stories, defending victims of violence and giving a voice to trade unions, small farmers and organisations that rarely have access to the national media.