A GUATEMALAN human rights campaigner and a Manchester peace activist have been honoured at a ceremony at the town hall.

Dominga Vasquez and Helen Woodcock were joint recipients of the International Service Human Rights Award for 2006.

Dominga, who was in the city to raise awareness of the plight of her people, was rewarded for her fight for equal status for Mayan women in Guatemalan society and her battle against human rights violations.

As a result of her work she has received death threats and has also been accused of terrorism and been the subject of a petrol bomb attack.

Despite this she has continued her struggle and is supported by Helen, a Peace Brigades International worker, who makes sure that wherever Dominga goes she has round-the-clock protection.

Helen said: "The situation in Guatemala has really opened my eyes and made me cherish the liberties we have here in Britain that we sometimes take for granted."

Coun Val Stevens, who attended the ceremony, said that the council was pleased to raise publicity for the plight of the Mayans.

She said: "We have a long and proud tradition of being a campaigning international city.

"We are very happy to help Dominga and recognise the fantastic work that herself and Helen have done."