The kidnapped Colombian Green leader and presidential candidate, Ms Ingrid Betancourt, has been awarded the Petra Kelly Prize for human rights, ecology and non-violent politics. Founder of the "Oxygen" party, Ms Betancourt was kidnapped by FARC guerrillas last February and has been held captive since.
The prize was presented in Berlin to her husband, Mr Juan Carlos Lecompte. The award is named after the late Petra Kelly, the German-Irish Green leader and anti-nuclear activist.
Mr Lecompte said FARC had taken the wrong person as his wife shared some of the same ideas about reform. FARC is holding her for a prisoner exchange, but the government is refusing to negotiate until the group calls a ceasefire and lays down arms.
The Green MEP for Leinster, Ms Nuala Ahern, a member of the awards jury, said: "I was appalled that somebody who has always fought for dialogue as the only means to end violence and the civil war in Colombia has become victim of this cowardly act.
"Ingrid has shown great courage in her long fight against a corrupt establishment and the drug traffic, and I hope this prize will increase pressure on the Colombian government."