Tony Blair to Receive Human Rights Award
Date: 13th September 2010
Source: Global Reporting
The news by the Press Association says:
September 13, 2010 “Press Association” — Tony Blair is to receive an award for his global human rights work in the US.
The ex-Prime Minister will be presented with Liberty Medal by former US President Bill Clinton even as his newly published memoirs reignited debate on his political leadership.
The medal is given annually by the National Constitution Centre to individuals or organisations whose actions aim to bring liberty to people worldwide.
To say that Tony Blair “took” us to war would be too light in terms of word choice. What he had done prior was greedily take part in an activity that would change the world. It’s known that his weakness is the desire for more power and how could a person like him turn down the US who were knocking on his door? Manipulating information and infecting the minds of many civilians to take part in a war that never needed the involvement of the UK, for the sake of his own greed. The advantage for the US to have one European country take part in the re-mapping of the Middle East was one that opened doors to other European countries. To say that Tony Blair is responsible for the loss of British lives would be highly inaccurate.
Mr Blair is being honoured for his work with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, which promotes religious tolerance, and for his initiative to improve governance in Africa.
No amount of awards or titles can overshadow the scale of ill-fated conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan so what exactly is there to feel honoured about? Awards and titles, if not true nor deserved, is quite simply nothing. Nothing because they don’t hold their meaning.
He cancelled a planned book signing in London last week after eggs and shoes were thrown at him at an earlier book signing in Dublin. Protesters were angered over his role in launching the Iraq War.
Organisers of the medal ceremony say they don’t expect protesters.
Mr Clinton, the centre’s chairman, said in a statement that Mr Blair “continues to demonstrate the same leadership, dedication and creativity in promoting economic opportunity in the Middle East and the resolution of conflicts rooted in religion around the world.”
“Economic opportunity” with a world in economic disaster? “Rooted in religion” makes my mind run to the words “Christian Crusaders”. To say that this war had nothing to do with religion is a blantant lie; now, more than ever, religious unstability in Iraq hits a high that was not present at the time of Saddam.
Mr Blair said in a statement: “Freedom, liberty and justice are the values by which this medal is struck.
“Freedom, liberty and justice are the values which I try to apply to my work on governance in Africa and on preparing the Palestinians for statehood.”
Freedom? Illegal occupation is today’s “freedom”? – Liberty? Recent reports from Amnesty International state the female prisoners were tourtured more than male prisoners; torture techniques including rape. Rape is today’s “Liberty”? – Justice? How many prisoners are held behind bars for no reason? How many Human Rights reports have acknowledged the rising numbers and call for action to be taken against this? Today’s Justice?
As if Iraq and Afghanistan wasn’t enough, Palestine and Africa are on the list.
The way I see it is that no matter how many awards can be given to an invidiual, wrong is wrong. Times like these make me question why the world runs of rules and policies.
The medal, first given in 1989, comes with a 100,000 US dollars (£65,000) cash prize. Mr Blair will donate the money to his faith foundation and African Governance Initiative.
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A&E’s notes are in italics
Breathing Out Psychedelic Air 