Dharamshala: - Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay, the democratically elected political leader of Tibetans on Monday congratulated Indian Kailash Satyarthi and Pakistan's Malala Yousafzai – both human rights activists – were named co-winners of the Nobel Peace Prize on last Friday.
Malala, the 17-year-old Pakistani child education activist, and Kailash, an Indian child rights campaigner, were awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize for their "struggle for education and against extremism."
Thorbjorn Jagland, chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said, "Children must go to school, not be financially exploited."
Applauding Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi on getting the recognitions, Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay said "the Central Tibetan administration admire their contribution and struggle for the basic rights and education of children."
Schoolgirl activist Malala's courageous fightback from being shot by the Taliban has transformed her both into a symbol for human rights and a campaigner in global demand. "Malala Yousafzai's fight and struggle for girl's right to education and her determination is heroic and iconic to the rest of the world," Dr Sangay said.
Meanwhile, Kailash, who named co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize is credited with freeing tens of thousands of youngsters working as cheap labour in homes, factories, construction and other jobs. Sikyong also strongly praised Satyarthi for his unwavering fight against child trafficking and child labour in India. "His non-violent protests and demonstrations are an inspiration to many," Dr Sangay added.
The Tibetan political leader offered heartfelt congratulations to both the individuals and emphasised the need to continue their "struggle for the elevation of basic human rights and freedom."
Several media outlets reported that Satyarthi and Malala were receiving congratulatory messages from leaders and Nobel Laureates all over the world "for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education."
Congratulating Malala and Kailash for this year's Peace Prize, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon said the laureates "two of the world's greatest champions for children."
"Malala is a brave and gentle advocate of peace" who has shown "what terrorists fear most: a girl with a book," Mr Ban added.
"Kailash Satyarthi has been at the forefront of a worldwide movement for justice, global education and a better life for millions of children trapped in exploitative child labor," the UN Cheif said.
European Union leaders as well as political groups in the European Parliament congratulated Satyarthi and Malala. "Today's decision pays tribute to the undisputable right to education for all children, equal rights for women and the important campaign against their oppression," said European Council president Herman Van Rompuy, and European Commission president José Manuel Barroso in a joint statement.
"The decision equally sends a strong message to those who try to impeach on the fundamental right to education, by violence, suppression and cowardly threats," the two leaders stated.
US President Obama said the two activists have faced down threats and intimidation, risking their own lives to save others and build a better world for future generations.
"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 unshakable belief in the basic dignity of every girl and boy," the US President said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Indian and Pakistani activists on being chosen for the the Nobel Peace Prize. "Malala Yousafzai's life is a journey of immense grit and courage," he said.
"Kailash Satyarthi has devoted his life to a cause that is extremely relevant to entire humankind. The entire nation is proud of his momentous achievement," the Prime Minister Modi said in his message.
Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is the U.N. special envoy for global education, described the two winners as "the world's greatest children's champions."
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said the award sends an important message of support to all those working for children's rights and rewards "two extraordinarily inspirational human rights defenders" who "have demonstrated tremendous courage in the face of powerful adversaries."
the United Nations Children's Fund ( UNICEF) also congratulated both winners and said that this award will be "an inspiration" to millions of unnamed and unknown children around the world who battle silently in their own lives for the right to education and the right to be heard and protected.
Four previous Nobel peace laureates- Mairead Maguire, Desmond Tutu, Jody Williams and Shirin Ebadi strongly urged the UN and EU to pressure China for the release of 2010 winner Liu Xiaobo from prison and expressed their "strong indignation regarding the continuous imprisonment of Liu Xiaobo."
"On December 25, 2009, the Chinese government sentenced Dr Liu, a highly respected intellectual and famous dissident, to 11 years in prison for 'inciting subversion'" they said in an open letter to the UN and EU, sent to coincide with the announcement of this year's Nobel prize.
"The charges were based on his political essays and co-authorship of 'Charter 08,' which called for peaceful political reform in China based on the principles of human rights, freedom, and democracy."
"We remain confident that under the current circumstances, the world, the United Nations and the European Union cannot remain silent and leave without defense a Nobel laureate, the civil society in China and the Chinese activists struggling for fundamental rights and universal principles," the letter said.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee sai it has received a record 278 nominations for the 2014 prize, 47 of which were for organizations. Each prize carries with it a monetary reward of 8 million Swedish kronor (about $1.1 million) to be divided among the winners.
