PM receives human rights award

Prime Minister Erdogan on Monday received the Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights for his "distinguished service to humanity." In Libya for an official visit to attend the Third Africa-European Union Summit, Erdogan was also presented with the human rights award. In his speech to the award ceremony, Erdogan said Islamophobia is a crime against humanity, adding that freedom of expression is no excuse for attacking things that are sacred to Muslims. Erdogan promised to continue protecting the truth, adding that everyone is equal when it comes to justice. He said the prize will strengthen and support his efforts to protect the human rights of people in the Mideast and all around the world, stressing that through the Alliance of Civilizations initiative under the United Nations, Turkey is calling for peace on a global scale. Turkey is striving for peace in the UN Security Council and continuing negotiation talks with the EU, he added, and trying to carry universal values to Turkey and the region.