Jane Winter, founder member and Director of British Irish RIGHTS WATCH (BIRW), has been awarded the prestigious Beacon Prize 2007 for Northern Ireland. She has been actively involved in researching human rights violations since 1990. Jane and BIRW have done outstanding work to address human rights issues in Northern Ireland both pre and post conflict.

Jane is one of just 13 recipients of the Prize this year, all of whom were chosen for their exceptional philanthropic contribution through the giving of their time, money and skills in order to benefit specific charitable causes. She has joined the ranks of previous Beacon winners such as Sir Bob Geldof, Jamie Oliver and environmentalist, Zac Goldsmith who have all been recognised for their charitable work through what has become known as the 'Nobel Prize of the charity world', first coined by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

BIRW is a unique charity for the way in which it addresses an often overlooked aspect of Northern Ireland's recent history. The charity, which began as an informal organization in 1990, played a key role in organizing the Northern Ireland Human Rights Assembly in London in 1992. In 1995 the charity achieved charitable status. More recently, the charity has been instrumental in bringing about public inquiries into landmark events such as Bloody Sunday and the murders of solicitor Rosemary Nelson and loyalist leader Billy Wright.

BIRW arose out of the concern of a small group of people from England, Ireland and America, all of them based in London, about the human rights violations stemming from the conflict in Northern Ireland.

Until August 1994 BIRW's primary role was to monitor alleged human rights violations arising from the conflict in Northern Ireland. Since the ceasefires, the Charity has enhanced its services to include ensuring that proper respect for human rights is established in Northern Ireland in the wake of the conflict, with particular emphasis currently on the role of human rights in the emerging peace process. The charity offers its services free of charge to individuals and groups regardless of their religious opinions and political affiliations. Jane has been at the heart of the charity's expansion and her tireless work has led to staff and office expansion to cope with the continued high demand for the charity's services.

Beacon's Chairman Martyn Lewis said: "We are very pleased to honour Jane with a Beacon Prize. She has shown tremendous courage and vision in striving to protect human rights in Northern Ireland both before and after the ceasefire."

The Prize Ceremony took place on 22nd November at The Banqueting House, Whitehall, when 13 winners were inaugurated as Beacon Fellows, a community of Beacon Prize winners who together, champion charitable causes across the globe and nurture a wider culture of giving in the UK.

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For further information on the Beacon Prize, winners' biographies and photos of the 2007 award recipients or on The Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust contact Fintan Nicholls on 0207 203 8295 or email fintan.nicholls@beaconfellowship.org.uk