Brussels, 10/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 10 October, European leaders congratulated Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan and Kailash Satyarthi on winning the Nobel Peace Prize 2014.
This decision “pays tribute to the undisputable right to education for all children, equal rights for women and the important campaign against their oppression”, said European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso in a joint press release.
“The decision equally sends a strong message to those who try to impeach on the fundamental right to education, by violence, suppression and cowardly threats”, they added. Barroso and Van Rompuy urged leaders worldwide to “redouble their efforts for the education of all children and to intensify the fight against poverty”.
European Parliament President Martin Schulz also hailed the fact that the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to two campaigners for children's rights in India and Pakistan. “Education for all children is key to a sustainable peace”, he stated.
Winner of the Sakharov Prize 2013, 17-year-old Malala Yousafzai campaigns for education for young girls. Kailash Satyarthi has led peaceful demonstrations against the exploitation of children in his country. (CG)