Trio of nominations for The Independent at Amnesty International UK’s media awards

Reporters for The Independent have been recognised for their work in exposing human rights abuses with a trio of nominations for this year’s Amnesty International UK’s media awards.

The Independent’s Jerome Taylor has been shortlisted in the newspaper category for his coverage of the ongoing crackdown against pro-democracy activists in Belarus. His reports focused on the arrest and torture of hundreds of opposition supporters following the disputed December 2010 presidential elections; the use of death squads to assassinate regime critics at the turn of the twentieth century and the willingness of corporations to continue doing business with Minsk despite widespread international condemnation.

The Independent on Sunday’s Emily Dugan has been nominated for the Gaby Rado memorial award which recognises journalists who have been covering human rights issues for less than five years. Her work included dispatches on the forgotten victims of East Africa’s food crisis, the deadly legacy of the Lord’s Resistance Army and the terrifying rise of bride kidnapping across the globe.

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism has also been nominated in the digital category for their work in exposing deaths in custody. Much of their investigation, which revealed how the number of people who have passed away in custody is higher than officials figures, was published in The Independent.

Amnesty International UK Media Director Mike Blakemore said: “There are some amazingly strong entries in this year’s awards. “The important thing is that these awards both reflect and to some extent nurture high-quality human rights journalism. This year’s impressive shortlist continues that tradition.”

Jerome Taylor: We must not forget hundreds still in Belarus gulag, warns freed dissident

Jerome Taylor: RBS helped bankroll Europe's last dictator

Jerome Taylor: Topless protester was 'abducted and beaten' in Belarus

Jerome Taylor: McDonald's linked to crackdown in Belarus

Emily Dugan: Ethiopia counts the cost of East Africa's crisis

Emily Dugan: Two million East African infants are now starving

Emily Dugan: UN: £220m more needed to help those on Kenya's 'roads of death'

Emily Dugan: Midnight's children: Could the Lord’s Resistance Army's horrific practices in Africa soon end?

Emily Duggan: 'Bridenapping' – a growing hidden crime

Rate of deaths in custody is higher than officials admit

Police watchdog admitted system was ineffective