Policy, Law, Economics and Politics - Deepening Democracy through Access to Information
This privately-owned website is operated and maintained by Creamer Media
We have detected that the browser you are using is no longer supported. As a result, some content may not display correctly.
We suggest that you upgrade to the latest version of any of the following browsers:
         
close notification
25 May 2012
   
 
 
Article by: Reuters
Kenya Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai had pulled out of the Tanzanian leg of the Olympic torch relay this weekend to highlight human rights concerns in Tibet, a local broadcaster said on Thursday.

Maathai, a veteran of Kenya's civil rights movement who won the Nobel prize in 2004 for her environmental work, was meant to carry the torch on Sunday in the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam.

"I think all of us who care about human rights issues are of course very sympathetic and very concerned about the events that have been unfolding in Tibet for a very long time," she told NTV, after saying she would not take part.

She said she hoped Beijing would listen to protesters who demonstrated in London and Paris over China's human rights record and a recent government crackdown on monk-led protests in Tibet.

"I hope the world and China will hear (the protesters') voice, because they are not doing it for fun," Maathai said. "They are doing it because they are concerned about the human rights issues in Tibet."

She said she had been attracted by Chinese plans to hold an environmentally-friendly "green" Olympics, and still supported Beijing hosting the games.

"I'd like to see a country that is challenged, but is addressing those challenges to the betterment of the environment and the world in general."


Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter
 
 
 
 
  Photos
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Map
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertisements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Topics on this page
 
 
 
City
 
Country
 
Facility
 
Natural Feature
 
Region
 
Sports Event
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Online Publishers Association