Malala wins EU’s right prize, angering Taliban
STRASBOURG: Malala Yousafzai, the teenage activist nominated for this
year’s Nobel Peace Prize, won the EU’s prestigious Sakharov human rights
prize Thursday.To thunderous applause announcing the European
Parliament prize, the assembly’s president, Martin Schulz said “Malala
bravely stands for the right of all children to be granted a fair
education. This right for girls is far too commonly neglected.” The
parliament’s vote for Malala from a shortlist of three nominees
“acknowledges the incredible strength of this young woman,” Schulz
added. The 16-year-old was shot in the head by the Pakistani Taliban on
October 9 last year for speaking out against them and has gone on to
become a global ambassador for the right of all children to go to
school.The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) immediately vowed a
fresh attempt on her life “even in America or the UK.” “She has done
nothing,” TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid told AFP. “She is getting
awards because she is working against Islam.” She was taken to Britain
for treatment in the wake of last year’s attack and now goes to school
in the central city of Birmingham. Feted by world leaders and
celebrities for her courage, she has addressed the UN, this week
published an autobiography, and could become the youngest ever Nobel
Peace Prize laureate today (Friday). afp
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