The presentation of the list of signatures took place on the fringes of the Strategic Dialogue with Pakistan.

Today (17 December, 4.45 p.m.), representatives of the change.org campaign “Nobel Peace Prize for Malala” presented more than 270,000 signatures of those supporting children’s rights activist Malala Yousafzai to Federal Government Human Rights Commissioner Markus Löning in the presence of Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani.

Background:

Just a few weeks ago, fifteen–year-old children’s rights activist Malala Yousafzai was severely wounded when shot by followers of the Pakistan Taliban. She is currently receiving medical treatment in Britain. Change.org is pushing for Malala Yousafzai to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Human Rights Commissioner Markus Löning and Pakistan Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani met within the framework of the Strategic Dialogue with Pakistan. State Secretary of the Federal Foreign Office Emily Haber had met that morning with the Pakistan delegation for extensive strategic consultations.

Early in September 2012, Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and his Pakistan counterpart, Hina Rabbani Khar, had agreed to hold the strategic dialogue, which is taking place under the joint auspices of the two foreign ministries. All important areas of cooperation between Germany and Pakistan are to be covered. This includes foreign and security policy topics, cooperation in protecting human rights, strengthening trade ties and issues such as education, the environment and renewable energies.