Bhutto posthumously awarded Tipperary Peace Prize

Dublin- Assassinated Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto is to posthumously receive the 2007 Tipperary Peace Prize, it was announced today. Ms Bhutto, who was killed on December 27 after addressing a rally in Rawalpindi, is being honoured for her courageous work on democracy and reconciliation in her country.
Speaking on World Day of Peace, the Tipperary Peace Convention said the accolade will be presented to a member of the politician’s family in Co Tipperary in April. Spokesman Martin Quinn said: “Ms Bhutto was an incredibly brave and courageous woman who had returned from exile to her homeland to lead her party in the forthcoming elections.
The award will be presented during the International Festival of Peace in Tipperary Town, Ireland in April 2008. The Convention committee chose Ms Bhutto after considering nominations received from members of the public. The shortlist included Hollywood actor George Clooney for his work on Darfur, Northern Ireland First Minister Rev Ian Paisley, former Nobel Prize winner Shirin Ibadi and Indian spiritual teacher Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.The Tipperary Peace Award was founded in 1984 to recognise people who promote peace in Ireland and abroad.Previous winners include former South African President Nelson Mandela, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Bob Geldof, Bill Clinton and assassinated Lebanese premier Rafic Hariri.Retired Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Robin Eames won the accolade last year.