MOSCOW, October 1. /TASS/. A state prize for prominent human rights achievements will be established in Russia, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

The prize will be awarded annually, Putin told members of the Human Rights Council. "The state will pay special attention to development of human rights and civil society institutions [in Russia] in the future," he said.

Putin signed a decree on Wednesday to establish the 2.5 million ruble ($38,000) prize. The first awards ceremony will be in 2016.