Share this story! Irish peace prize for Benazir DUBLIN: Former premier Benazir Bhutto is to be posthumously awarded Ireland’s 2007 Tipperary Peace Prize, the organisers said on Tuesday.
Benazir was recognised for her “courageous” work for democracy and reconciliation, said the Tipperary Peace Convention, which has in the past honoured South Africa’s Nelson Mandela and Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof.
“Benazir fought all her battles through dialogue and was an example to all those who do not use or surrender to terrorism,” it said in a statement.
“Her selection as Peace Prize recipient should act as an inspiration to those in Pakistan who seek to secure democracy and reconciliation for their country,” it added.
The convention said the accolade was to “recognise the very difficult path towards peace and democracy in Pakistan and the ultimate sacrifice made by Benazir in her campaign to put her country back on democracy”.
“She was an incredibly brave and courageous woman who had returned from exile to her homeland to lead her party in the forthcoming elections,” it said. afp Home | Main
Share this story!
Reports say that the Tipperary Peace Convention located in Ireland will be giving its 2007 Peace Prize to former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

"Benazir fought all her battles through dialogue and was an example to all those who do not use or surrender to terrorism. Her selection as Peace Prize recipient should act as an inspiration to those in Pakistan who seek to secure democracy and reconciliation for their country. She was an incredibly brave and courageous woman who had returned from exile to her homeland to lead her party in the forthcoming elections," said the organization in a statement to the press.

Bhutto was assassinated during a rally for democracy on December 27. She was shot by a suicide attacker in the neck and chest, who then blew himself up killing 21 others.

The organization was founded in 1984. Its goal is to "give recognition to those who promote the ideals of peace and peaceful co-operation both in Ireland and abroad," says their website. The award will be presented in her honor in April of 2008 during the organization's ''International Festival of Peace'' in Tipperary Town.

Past recipients of the prize include former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani who received his honors in 2001, former United States President Bill Clinton received the award in 2000 and Nelson Mandela in 1989.