Four groups have been nominated for this year's Suaram human rights award, its coordinator S Aruthchelvan revealed today.

They are Workers of Euromedical Industry, SPNS (Sinui Pai Nanek Sengik which means New Life One Heart), People of Kuala Kuang and online daily malaysiakini.

The award is to recognise and encourage the efforts and struggles of individuals or organisations in conjunction with World Human Rights Day which falls on Dec 10.

"We try to choose a group of people or organisation that has worked hard throughout this year in standing up for their beliefs in human rights," Aruthchelvan said.

He also mentioned that the winner should have made a strong impact on society by holding on to their human rights services or record for the past one year.

"Every nominee has an equal chance in winning this award," he added.

The criteria that will be assessed are the impacts the individual or organisation has given to the public, its inspirations and struggles to inspire others in standing up for their human rights in terms of sustainability, its gravity of the issue and empowerment of the organisation.

Achievements of nominees

Euromedical Industry Sdn Bhd specialises in producing urological catheters and respiratory care products and exports them worldwide.

The workers formed a union despite being harassed, threatened and victimised. This year, they finally won the right to unionise in a landmark court decision.

SPNS started when its adviser, Tijah Yok Chopil provided guidance and gave tuition to the children of Kampung Chang Lama in 1986. The objectives of SPNS are to assist the Orang Asli communities to become independent, instill the importance of education and awareness among their womenfolk.

As a result of the work of SPNS, more Orang Asli villagers are now more rights-conscious and are coming forward to protect their lands from being claimed for development.

People of Kuala Kuang have continuously protested against pollution allegedly caused by local rubber factory Chip Lam Seng.

Malaysiakini is the leading source of independent news and views in Malaysia for the past five years. It informs people via the internet the latest and critical issues in a fair manner and encourage feedbacks and responses.

A 12-member Suaram panel will decide on the winner who will receive the award at a ceremony to be held at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

Last year's winner, Ladang Braemar Workers, will do the honour at the presentation ceremony.