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 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. Seven injured in massive gas station explosion in Armenia The Investigative Committee of Armenia has unveiled details about a massive explosion at a gas station on the Yerevan-Sevan highway. Pashinyan’s spokesperson denies intention to visit Baku for COP29 Pashinyan’s agenda doesn’t include a trip to Baku for the COP29 conference, his press secretary Nazeli Baghdasaryan has said. Lithuania sending €100,000 to help Armenia fight floods consequences Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan took to social media to thank his Lithuanian counterpart for the contribution. |