Habermas recusou um prémio do Sheikh Zayed Book “Cultural Personality of the Year, dos Emiratos Árabes Unidos, no valor de 272 mil dólares. Inicialmente aceitou mas depois recusou assim que percebeu que a instituição que atribui esses prémios no Abu Dhabi tem uma ligação muito próxima ao sistema político dos EAU que não respeita os direitos humanos.
Habermas Declines Sheikh Zayed Book Award
Habermas had initially agreed to accept the award, but then changed his mind. “That was a wrong decision, which I correct hereby… I didn’t sufficiently make clear to myself the very close connection of the institution, which awards these prizes in Abu Dhabi, with the existing political system there,” he said via his publisher, according to The Washington Post. (This article summarizes human rights violations in the UAE.)
The UAE, on its website, said said it “expresses regret” for Habermas’ decision “but respects it,” according to the Associated Press.
