UNESCO suspends UNESCO-Obiang Nguema Mbasogo International Prize

UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) decided on Thursday to suspend the UNESCO-Obiang Nguema Mbasogo International Prize sponsored by Equatorial Guinea President Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

"I take note of this decision by our member states, which has been reached by consensus and with respect and dignity towards all concerned parties," UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said.

The Paris-based UN agency announced the suspension of the Prize for Research in the Life Sciences, adding to "continue consultations among all parties concerned, in a spirit of mutual respect and until a consensus is reached," it said in a statement.

An increasing number of scientists and human rights groups, including the New York-based Human Rights Watch, recently accused Obiang of human rights abuses during his tenure.

The African president announced that he would sponsor the prize, funded from his Foundation for the Preservation of Life, in 2007 and UNESCO adopted it in 2008, according to the UN agency.

Source: Xinhua