Finland's ex-president Martti Ahtisaari won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for his efforts to build a lasting peace from Africa and Asia to Europe and the Middle East.
The award, however, drew some criticism for not highlighting China's crackdown in Tibet and on human rights activists. Speculation focused on using the prize to honor the 60th anniversary of the signing of the UN Declaration of Human Rights by singling out dissidents in China, Russia and Vietnam, overshadowed the decision.
"It is an opportunity missed to change the world for the better by encouraging reform in China," said Edward McMillan-Scott, a British member of the European Parliament and founder of its Democracy and Human Rights Instrument.
By selecting Ahtisaari, 71, for the prize, the Nobel committee returned its focus to traditional peace work after tapping climate campaigner Al Gore and the UN panel on climate change last year.
