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Kenya's top athlete withdraws from Olympic torch relay to highlight human rights concerns in Tibet Fri. April 11, 2008 06:23 am.- By Bonny Apunyu. - (SomaliNet) Wangari Maathai, Kenya Nobel Peace Laureate has pulled out of the Tanzanian leg of the Olympic torch relay this weekend to highlight human rights concerns in Tibet, a local broadcaster said on Thursday. Maathai, was meant to carry the torch on Sunday in the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam. The veteran of Kenya's civil rights movement won the Nobel prize in 2004 for her environmental work. "I think all of us who care about human rights issues are of course very sympathetic and very concerned about the events that have been unfolding in Tibet for a very long time," she told NTV, after saying she would not take part. She said she hoped Beijing would listen to protesters who demonstrated in London and Paris over China's human rights record and a recent government crackdown on monk-led protests in Tibet. "I hope the world and China will hear (the protesters') voice, because they are not doing it for fun," Maathai said. "They are doing it because they are concerned about the human rights issues in Tibet." She said she had been attracted by Chinese plans to hold an environmentally-friendly "green" Olympics, and still supported Beijing hosting the games. "I'd like to see a country that is challenged, but is addressing those challenges to the betterment of the environment and the world in general."-Reuters News Category: Sports Latest Headlines Latest News Somalia: WFP welcomes Canada naval escort in Somali... E. Africa: Kenya security alerts Tanzanian coun... WB to pump huge money to infrastructure project... Olympics: Somali delegation expects Olympics to brin... Kenya, Tz mark 10th anniversary of deadly bombi... Somalia: Well-known Somali aid worker killed south... Al Qaida North Africa wing claims responsibility for... Egypt: Police discovers 20 underground tunnels near ... Somalia: Canadian navy to escort WFP ships carrying... Premier League: 'I will stay at United'-Cristiano Ro... More News...