Indian AIDS activist, Meona Seshu, is among three individuals accorded the Global Rights Defenders 2002 by Human Rights Watch. The other two are Turkish champion of free speech and a civil servant from Chad. All three will be honored by the New York-based rights watchdog at special ceremony to be held next week.

"The advocates we honor in 2002 have shown great courage and dedication to the cause of human rights," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch in a press communiqué.

"They have worked tirelessly -- in often dangerous environments -- to expose rights abuses and to focus the international spotlight on their countries, " Roth further mentioned.

Seshu was cited for her work in trying to stem the spread of the disease in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, despite police harassment and personal attacks by local authorities.