Calls it ‘a victory for upholding dignity of every human being’
US President Barack Obama has lauded Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai, the joint winners of the Nobel Peace Prize, terming their selection “a victory for all who strive to uphold the dignity of every human being”.
“In recognising Malala and Kailash, the Nobel Committee reminds us of the urgency of their work to protect the rights and freedoms of all our young people and to ensure they have the chance to fulfill their God-given potential, regardless of their background, or gender, or station in life,” said Obama, a past winner of the Nobel Peace Prize himself.
If Yousafzai, at just 17 years old, has inspired people around the world with her passion and determination to make sure girls everywhere received education, Satyarthi has dedicated his life to ending child labour and wiping the stain of slavery from our world, Obama noted.
Both have boldly faced threats and intimidation, risking their own lives to save others and build a better world for future generations, said Obama, noting: “They come from different countries, religious backgrounds, and generations — a Muslim and a Hindu, a Pakistani and an Indian — but they share an unyielding commitment to justice and an unshakeable belief in the basic dignity of every girl and boy.”
As he put it, the true measure of Kailash’s efforts is not a single prize he has been awarded, but the tens of thousands of people who now live with freedom and dignity thanks to his efforts. “Through his advocacy, Kailash reminds us of our shared responsibility to end the exploitation of others, especially the most vulnerable among us,” he said.
Obama, who along with First lady Michelle Obama had received Yousafzai at the Oval Office last year, said: “When the Taliban tried to silence her, Malala answered their brutality with strength and resolve.” Recalling that meeting with the Pakistani teenager, he said: “We were awe-struck by her courage and filled with hope knowing this is only the beginning of her extraordinary efforts to make the world a better place.”