Sydney Peace Foundation honors Assange with its highest awardMay 11, 2011 - 11:37 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Sydney Peace Foundation has accused the federal government of "demonising" Queensland-born WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange as it handed him its highest award. The peace foundation presented Mr Assange a gold medal in recognition of his "exceptional courage in pursuit of human rights" at a ceremony in London on Tuesday, May 10. It is only the fourth time in the organization’s 14-year history that the prize for extraordinary achievement in promoting peace with justice has been given out. Previous winners are Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama and Japanese Buddhist leader Daisaku Ikeda. Foundation director Professor Stuart Rees said the award was to honor Mr Assange's work in challenging official secrecy. But he accused the Australian government of demonising Mr Assange and aiding U.S. efforts to behave like a totalitarian state. Mr Assange, who was named as the award recipient in February, welcomed the prize. "The real value of this award, and the Sydney Peace Foundation, is that it makes explicit the link between peace and justice," he said in a statement, AFP reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |