More than 100 organizations worldwide have signed a petition condemning an anti-terrorism prize former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe will receive Wednesday in Spain.
Uribe has been awarded the second annual “La puerta del recuerdo” prize from the International Observatory of Victims of Terrorism at the San Pablo CEU University Foundation. The award recognizes his “fight against terrorism” through “firm security and defense policies undertaken during his mandate in spite of the difficult political and social conditions in his country, as well as his service rendered to the existence of all Colombians, especially victims of violence.”
The protesting organizations signed a petition titled “Alvaro Uribe Velez, persona non grata, who should be made available to the International Criminal Court.” Signers of the petition include Nobel Peace Prize winner Adolofo Perez Esquivel, and call for a demonstration outside the Casino de Madrid where the prize will be presented on Wednesday.
Uribe is currently being investigated for allegedly illegal wiretapping Spanish NGOs and human rights activists.
Former Spanish President Jose Maria Aznar will also receive a prize for his work fighting terrorism while in office.
Protestors also condemned Uribe’s September temporary appointment at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., citing the former president’s human rights record.