Last year's European Parliament Sakharov prize-winner, Malala Yousafzai, has been awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize together with Kailash Satyarthi, a 60-year-old Indian children's rights activist.

At 17, Malala is the youngest person ever to be awarded this prize in recognition for her active struggle for girls' and women's rights to education throughout the globe. Mr Satyarthi has headed campaigns against the exploitation of children for financial purposes in India since the 1990s.

GUE/NGL President Gabi Zimmer said:  “We welcome the awarding of this prize to Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi for their fight to improve the rights of children, young people and women. Unlike previous laureates, Barack Obama and the European Union who are currently engaged in military activities, these prize-winners are really deserving of the prize.”

The GUE/NGL group is made up of 52 MEPs from across Europe working for peace, solidarity, social justice, equality, democracy and human rights in Europe and beyond. It is the only gender balanced group in the European Parliament.

GUE/NGL Press Contacts:
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
David Lundy +32 470 85 05 09
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