Malala Yousafzai. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON: Rights group Amnesty International announced on Tuesday it had awarded its highest honour to Malala Yousafzai, the teen activist shot in the head last year by the Taliban for campaigning for girls' education.
Malala will share the 2013 Ambassador of Conscience Award with American singer and human rights activist Harry Belafonte, the London-based NGO revealed.
The award, which recognises "individuals who have promoted and enhanced the cause of human rights through their life and by example," will be presented by Irish rock singer Bono at a ceremony in Dublin, Ireland, on Tuesday.
"Our two new Ambassadors of Conscience are different from each other in many ways, but they share a dedication to the fight for human rights everywhere and for all," said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
"Harry and Malala are truly Ambassadors of Conscience, speaking up for universal rights, justice and human dignity and inspiring others to follow their example."
Malala was shot in the head by the Taliban on a school bus last October, an attack that drew worldwide condemnation.
She was flown to Britain for surgery for her head injuries and returned to school in Birmingham in March.
The 16-year-old said she was "truly honoured" to receive the award.
"I would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone that there are many millions of children like me across the world who fight every single day for their right to go to school," she added.
"I hope that by working together we will one day realise our dream of education for every child, in every corner of the world."
Emmy award winner Belafonte paid tribute to his co-winner.
"I am especially honoured to receive the Ambassador of Conscience Award because I am having the distinction of sharing this with Malala Yousafzai, a true hero of our time," he said.
"My admiration for her is unending. She has awakened many in the global family to a commitment in struggle against tyranny. For all this I remain eternally grateful."
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If the West really wants to give her an award they should stop supporting the countries that fund and support the criminals who shot her.
Malala is now being used as a propaganda tool of the west, West is making an Icon of the girl for political reason. It wouldn't be surprising if they award her the noble peace prize soon.
Congratulations to Malala, you made the whole nation proud of you specially our Pukhtun people. Keep up the good work we love you.
Proud of this brave girl! Malala is the real daughter of our nation!
Malala, you are the woman. Keep learning. We are waiting for you here. You are an inspiration to the whole of Pashtun nation. You keep climbing the ladders. All our best wishes are with you.
We congratulate Malala on receiving this award. She is an inspiration to everyone around the world. She continues to make the nation of Pakistan proud. We wish her best of luck.
Ali Khan
salute to this braveheart ...................she is a rolemodel for entire subcontinent ...... ....each developing nation must ensure the welfare and empowerment of its woman and underprivileged children
When does she attend school???????
@nouman:
"Readers , you think Anne Frank Diaries should be kept in fiction or adventure thriller section?"
The real question is where should we keep you?
PIMH, Lahore?
or
Rawalpindi psychiatric hospital?
She has gained weight !!!
I will trust every word and prize...if she and her father can swear on heart that they have NOT been on payroll of western agencies before she even started writing for BBC let alone the Swat shooting incident........the sequence just doesn't blend in. Readers , you think Anne Frank Diaries should be kept in fiction or adventure thriller section?
Malala is getting overemphasized! This would create doubts in mind of a common man about her!
Very good.
Glad to know this.
Pakistani women are really going places.
There we go again.............. Malala is probably gonna earn more than Mukhtaran Mai and in the end, they're both gonna fight..........
As for this award, congratulations Malala! but unfortunately these awards aren't going to help Pakistan, even Obama got the nobel peace award. Our reputation will only improve when we as a nation make ourselves better, few individuals getting awards might bring some appreciation for us or make us proud for a while but when we see how people are suffering in Pakistan, then people don't pay much of a heed to these things.
In my opinion, Malala, will not return to Pakistan for few years, not until she finishes her schooling & gets a university degree in political science. It is now clear that she is being prepared as a next potential woman PM of Pakistan, or at least an influential politician, who would safeguard the interests of the west.
Keep giving her awards while the attacker lives peacefully in United States of Afghanistan.
Congrats!
About time she comes backs to Pakistan and galvanises the government on improving education for all