Brussels, 07/10/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 7 October, the three presidents, Herman Van Rompuy, José Manuel Barroso and Jerzy Buzek, congratulated Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and two human rights activists, Leymah Gbowee of Liberia and Tawakkoul Karman of Yemen, on winning the Nobel Peace Prize 2011, “the icons of our time for the whole of humanity”, as Buzek describes them. “The decision of the Nobel Peace Committee is recognition of the pivotal role women play in the peaceful settlement of conflicts and democratic transformation throughout the world. This is a victory for a new democratic Africa and for a new democratic Arab world, living in peace and full respect of human right” Van Rompuy and Barroso stressed in a joint press release. Stating that there can be no true democracy unless women's voices are fully heard, the three Europeans said that these prizes send out a strong signal of support to those who defend women's rights and non-discrimination.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkoul Karman have been an 'inspiration to all those who defend women's active participation in social and political life and in peace-building. Women's empowerment is a strong tool of peaceful change towards better societies and a better world”, stressed the presidents of the European Council and of the Commission. The first democratically-elected female head of state in Africa, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf successfully campaigned to bring peace to Liberia. Leymah Gbowee mobilised women of all ethnicities and religions to put an end to war in Liberia, and helped to win women the right to take part in the elections. Lastly, Tawakkoul Karman strove for peace and democracy in Yemen.
Jerzy Buzek's took the opportunity to point out that the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Liu
Xiaobo, is still in prison and that his wife is under house arrest, and called once again for the pair to
be released. (CG/transl.fl)