Statement by President Higgins on the Nobel Peace Prize for Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad
Date: Fri 5th Oct, 2018 | 12:03
President Michael D. Higgins has conveyed his congratulations to Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad on being awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize.
"On behalf of the people of Ireland I wish to congratulate Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad on being awarded the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize.
The decision by the Nobel Committee to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad is both welcome and deserved.
Dr. Mukwege has distinguished himself through his tireless work in support of rape victims and Ms. Murad deserves the highest recognition for her work highlighting the plight of the Yazidi community in Iraq, and the victims of rape and war crimes in particular.
When I met Ms. Murad at Áras an Uachtaráin in 2016, I was deeply moved by her account of her sufferings and those of the Yazidi people, and greatly impressed by her dedication, commitment and dignity.
The award is also a recognition and encouragement for all those who continue, as Dr. Mukwege and Ms. Murad have done, to put their own personal security at risk by courageously combatting war crimes and securing justice for victims.
Both awardees are fully deserving of this honour, and of our thanks for their efforts to build a better world.”