U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs

Subcommittee News

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Congressman Donald Payne Urges UNESCO to Reject Prize Honoring President Obiang of Equatorial Guinea

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights, sent a letter to Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, calling on the Executive Board to reject the proposed implementation of the UNESCO-Obiang Nguema Mbasogo International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences. Congressman Payne notes in the letter that by honoring President Obiang’s oppressive regime, UNESCO would undermine its mission, credibility, and commitment to freedom around the world.

The full text of the letter can be found below.
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September 28, 2011

Ms. Irina Bokova
Director-General, UNESCO
UNESCO Headquarters
7, place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP
France
Dear Director-General Bukova:

As a supporter of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), I am writing to voice concern regarding the Executive Board’s decision to again consider naming the International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences in honor of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea. By honoring President Obiang’s regime, UNESCO would undermine its mission, credibility, and commitment to freedom around the world.
The International Prize for Research recognizes scientists for improving the quality of human life. President Obiang, on the other hand, is best known as the leader of one the most corrupt, oppressive, and undemocratic countries in the world. His actions over the past 32 years are in direct conflict with the purpose for which the International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences is specifically awarded.
Last year the Executive Board was faced with this same decision and voted to suspend the prize after large-scale international outcry. Many prominent African figures, including Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Equatoguineans, human rights groups, anti-corruption campaigners, and non-profit organizations adamantly objected to the prize.

Indeed, Obiang’s human rights record is well documented. The U.S. State Department’s 2010 Human Rights Report: Equatorial Guinea reported a wide range of abuses, including “ unlawful killings; abductions by security forces; torture of detainees and prisoners by security forces; impunity; restrictions on freedoms of speech, press, assembly, association, and movement; violence and discrimination against women; suspected trafficking in persons; discrimination against ethnic minorities; and restrictions on labor rights.” The report also documents “official corruption at all levels of government” and noted that “[t]he president and members of his inner circle continued to amass personal profits from the oil windfall.” Equatorial Guinea is consistently ranked among the most corrupt countries on the globe by Transparency International.
According to evidence produced in 2004 and 2010 investigations by the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, President Obiang and close family members have diverted tens of millions of dollars from their country's natural resource earnings to their private benefit.
The small nation has one of the highest per capita income levels, however this wealth primarily goes to serve Obiang, his family and the ruling elites, and not to help the nearly 80% of the population living below the poverty line. Instead of fighting infant mortality, Obiang’s son, currently the agriculture minister in his father’s government, commissioned a super yacht costing almost three times what the country spends annually on health and education.
As a long time supporter of UNESCO, I am concerned for its reputation as well as the negative consequences that may follow as a result of any association with President Obiang. A partnership between UNESCO and President Obiang would be a deeply troubling development, as President Obiang has been the direct cause of continued suffering for people of Equatorial Guinea. I urge you to do all that is in your power to reject this proposal and maintain the integrity of UNESCO’s mission.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,


/s/

DONALD M. PAYNE
Ranking Member,
House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights