HRW slams Bush's award of freedom medal to Colombia's Uribe

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Agence France-Presse

HRW slams Bush's award of freedom medal to Colombia's Uribe
1 hr 56 mins ago

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Human Rights Watch on Wednesday heaped scorn on a move by President George W. Bush to bestow the highest US civilian honor to Colombian leader Alvaro Uribe.

"My understanding is that the Medal of Freedom was given because of Uribe's promotion of democracy, freedom and human rights," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch (HRW) at a Washington press conference.

"Personally, I have a hard time figuring out who is more audacious, President Bush for giving the human rights award, or President Uribe for receiving it."

Roth added: "Neither Bush nor Uribe has anything to be proud about in the human rights arena.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090114/pl_afp/usdiplomacycolombiarights_20090114191214

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. The audacity of a dope.

I am hoping that Obama "retires" the now meaningless Medal of Freedom, and creates a new
symbol of honoring people with courage and integrity.

[Joe Chi Minh]

2. There's nothing new in it. The highest civil awards have always tended

to be badges of infamy, rather than excellence. They tend to be reserved for the most egregious rogues and vagabonds of all. Bliar, Friedman. Heck! Hitler was on the short-list for the Nobel Peace Prize! Nuff said?

[IndianaGreen]

3. The Medal of Freedom is an award for incompetence and human rights abuses

Look at the recent recipients: Paul Wolfowitz, Donald Rumsfeld, Uribe.