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Honour
for Zimbabwe bishop
George Conger,
Religious Intelligence
November 03,
2008
http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=3209
The Swedish government has awarded the Bishop of Harare its Per
Anger prize for his "moral courage" in leading the fight
for a democratic Zimbabwe.
On Oct 28 the
Forum för Levada Historia (Forum for Living History) of the
Swedish Foreign Ministry announced Dr Bakare had been chosen to
receive the award for his "committed work for human rights
in a politically unstable Zimbabwe."
Inaugurated
by the Swedish government in 2004 in memory of diplomat Per Anger,
the prize winner is selected from those work "promotes democracy
and humanitarian efforts, is characterized by active measures and
initiative, works for no personal gain, takes great personal risks,
displays great courage and is a role model for others."
"With
this award, we want to inspire people to make a stand, to dare to
contradict and to show moral courage. Good role models are important",
said Forum directory Eskil Frank.
During the Second
World War, Anger along with his colleague Raoul Wallenberg, successfully
spirited away thousands of Hungarian Jews slated for extermination
by the Germans from Budapest.
In its press
release, the Swedish government stated that Dr Bakare had fought
for the rights of the vulnerable in Zimbabwe. "Despite the
limited ability of civil society to act, he has worked constructively
for people's right to freedom of speech and protection against
oppression," the communiqué said.
Dr Bakare was
"an incredibly important voice in the Zimbabwe of today, which
is characterized by a difficult political and humanitarian situation,
with record inflation and growing famine; a country where government-backed
police and military persecute dissidents and those who protest against
violence and political oppression. Bishop Bakare has himself received
threats as a result of his open and clear criticism of the government,
his condemnation of local police brutality and his defence of human
rights," the Swedish communiqué said.
The government
will present the award to Dr Bakare at a Nov 10 ceremony in Stockholm
along with a prize of 150,000 kronor (£12,000), and has invited
the Harare bishop to give a lecture at a human rights conference
in Luleå on Nov 13.
On Oct 26, Dr
Bakare led the kick-off of the Nehemiah project for revitalizing
the diocese during an eight-hour service held at the Nelson Mandela
Hall on the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society showgrounds in Harare.
The congregation of over 5,000 saw 1,385 candidates presented for
confirmation.
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