International Initiative
Freedom for Ocalan Peace in Kurdistan
P.O. Box 100511, D-50445 Koeln
E-Mail: info@freedom-for-ocalan.com
Url: www.freedom-for-ocalan.com
Cologne, 5 April 2004
INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE BRIEFINGS:
Peace Prize for Ocalan awarded in Italy
The city council of the Italian district town of Cosenza, a city
known in Europe for its commitment to human rights, has awarded
this year's human rights prize to Abdullah Ocalan.
The presentation of the award took place yesterday, April 4th, which
is also Mr. Ocalan's birthday.
The prize was handed over by Elena Hoo, a city council member, standing
in for Cosenza mayor Eva Catione who could not participate due to
illness.
The prize was received by Ocalan lawyer Aysel Tugluk in the presence
of Mr. Ocalan's niece, Fatma.
In its resolution the city council said it had decided in favour
of Mr. Ocalan because of the Kurdish leader's exemplary commitment
to peace and human rights.
The prize for the Kurdish leader is a somewhat conroversial issue
in Italy. The political Right in Italy in particular criticized
the city council's decision harshly. This was the first time that
the Prize was awarded
|