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Sakharov Prize awarded to Pakistani girl injured by Taliban militants

2013 2013-10-11T22:39:26+0300 2013-10-11T22:39:26+0300 en https://spring96.org./files/images/sources/malala_usufzai.jpg The Human Rights Center “Viasna” The Human Rights Center “Viasna”
The Human Rights Center “Viasna”
Malala Yusufzai, the holder of the Sakharov Prize for 2013. Photo by Adrees Latif/Reuters

Malala Yusufzai, the holder of the Sakharov Prize for 2013. Photo by Adrees Latif/Reuters

Malala Yusufzai, a 16-year-old Pakistani human rights activist, wounded by Taliban militants, has been awarded Sakharov Prize for 2013.

"We decided to let the world know that our hope for a better future is based on young people, such as Malala Yusufzai", said the President of the European People's Party in the European Parliament .

Earlier, the young activist was awarded the title of "Humanist of the Year " according to Harvard University and Anna Politkovskaya Award.

During five years Malala Yusufzai kept a blog for BBC telling about the life of her native region of Swat, which was under the rule of the Taliban in 2007-2009. In her diary the girl described the crimes committed by the militants, including the violation of women's rights.

In October 2012 the Taliban stopped the school bus by which Malala was traveling and opened fire on children, as a result of which the girl was shot in the neck and the head. At first she was taken to a hospital in Pakistan, but later was transported to the UK, where she had a number of operations , one of which is allowed to return her hearing.

In the summer of 2013 one of the leaders of the Taliban, Adnan Rashid wrote her a letter that said he was shocked by the attack on her and "would like to see this never happened". In this case, Rashid did not condemn the actions of the militants, saying that their action was a response to the "smear campaign" waged by Malala Yusufzai against the Taliban.

Sakharov Prize is presented annually by the European Parliament for its achievements in the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the upholding of the rule of law, respect for international law and the protection of minority rights. It was first awarded in 1988. In 2012 the prize was awarded to Iranian lawyer Nasrin Satudeh, kept in jail since 2010 on charges of activities that undermine the security of the state, as well as propaganda aimed against the current regime. She was released shortly after receiving the award.

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