Human rights group Amnesty International (AI) has awarded its highest honour to Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager shot in the head by the Taliban last year for campaigning for girls’ education.
Malala will share the 2013 Ambassador of Conscience Award with American singer and human rights activist, Harry Belafonte.
The award, which recognises “individuals who have promoted and enhanced the cause of human rights through their life and by example”, was presented by Irish rock singer Bono at a ceremony in Dublin, Ireland.
“Our two new ambassadors of conscience are different from each other in many ways yet they share a dedication to the fight for human rights everywhere and for all,” said AI Secretary General Salil Shetty.
Malala was shot in the head by the Taliban on a school bus last year, an attack that drew worldwide condemnation.
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 millions of children like me across the world who fight every single day for their right to go to school,” she said.
“I hope that by working together we will one day realise our dream of education for every child, in every corner of the world,” she said.
Paying tribute to his co-winner, the Emmy award winner, Belafonte, said he felt honoured to share the award with Malala, who he considered “a true hero of our time”.
