In Great Company: Erdogan Wins Gaddafi Human Rights Prize

The absurdity of embattled Libyan leader Mommar Gadaffi’s reign has many dimensions, one which is the “Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights,” which last November was awarded to none other than his closer friend and ally, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The prize is awarded every year to an individual who has worked toward protecting and advancing human rights.
“The Prize categorically believes that freedom is an indivisible natural right for Man; it is not a gift or grace from anybody, and that safeguarding it is a general human responsibility,” said a press release describing the award and announcing the 2010 winner.
Erdogan, who traveled to Tripoli in November to claim the “coveted” prize was honored.
“You can be sure that this award will encourage our struggle for human rights in regional and global sense,” said Erdogan
“The only thing we want in our region and in the globe is peace and justice. If there is prosperity in the region, every state will benefit. All regional states would benefit from peace, harmony and stability. Everyone must be sure of one thing: Whatever we want for ourselves, we also want for others,” he added.

Not surprisingly, Erdogan was a holdout in international efforts and concerns regarding the Libyan uprising against Gaddafi.
On Sunday, he was quoted as criticizing the international community by saying: “We are not one of those who see oil when looking at the Middle East. We are not one of those who see unearned income when looking at the Balkans. We are not one of those who look at the Caucasus, Asia and Africa with interest considerations.”