/ 10 October 2000

HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD FOR CASTRO

THE Gaddafi Human Rights Prize has been awarded to Cuban President Fidel Castro in recognition of his “heroic role” in resisting imperialism, according to a report in the Cuban Communist Party newspaper Granma. Libya’s permanent representative to the United Nations Abuzeid Omar Dorda handed the award to Castro in a “simple but moving” ceremony at the Palace of the Revolution in Havana. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi awarded Castro the prize in 1998, but the Cuban president had not received it personally until now. Cuba intends to use the money to build a school in the Dominican Republic. – AFP