Introduction
The Nobel Peace Prize is among the world’s most coveted and highly esteemed awards for individuals and organizations. The individuals and the organizations awarded the Nobel Peace Prize must have been noted as having contributed to the peaceful existence of humanity and nature. The efforts of some of the individuals and organizations considered are within their national boundaries, while others promote peace internationally. Liu Xiaobo and Malala Yousafzai, are two famous winners of the prize. The Nobel Committee justified their contributions to peace but they still received criticism for winning the award.
Background and Nature of Award
Alfred Nobel came up with the idea of awarding various individuals for their commendable efforts the prize in 1895. He left the instructions in his will. Five individuals were accorded the guardianship of the Noble Peace Prize, and their principal task was to award the winners (Fitriyani et al., 2021). The parliament of Norway was tasked with selecting the members of the committee. Alongside some financial awards, each winner is given a diploma and a medal for contributing to world peace.
As a literary critic and an activist for human rights issues, Liu Xiaobo attracted the attention of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee. His activities in China earned him a prize in 2010 (Heyking, 2023). Xiaobo was popularly known for his role in the 1989 protests staged in Tiananmen Square (Francis, 2019). Despite the harshness of the Chinese government, Liu Xiaobo risked his life by calling for democratic reforms and an end to authoritarianism. Xiaobo’s political activities included drafting the reform manifesto, popularly known as Chapter 08.
In 2014, Malala Yousafzai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for advocating for the rights of the girl child in her country, Pakistan. The Taliban government used the Sharia Law, which violated girls’ education rights. Malala Yousafzai started speaking against the evils of this Islamic regime against women and girls at a young age (Repez & Iftode, 2022). The government was against financing girls’ education so she established the Malala Fund to sponsor girl child education.
Comparison
Liu Xiaobo and Malala Yousafzai have made significant and remarkable contributions to world peace by making their activism known within and outside their countries. Xiaobo was recognized for promoting the values of the struggle for democracy and human rights in his country (Heyking, 2023).
The struggle staged by Xiaobo was quite successful and effective despite being nonviolent and highly peaceful. He managed to achieve respect for fundamental human rights in China. It is a common phenomenon in all political struggles that violence is introduced as a means to quick success. However, the peaceful means adopted by Xiaobo surprised many.
On the other hand, Yousafzai was presented with the award for taking tangible steps towards attaining the peace of many nations. Through her actions, the Islamic world realized the need for girls’ education (Altam & Pathan, 2021). She rose and challenged the tyrannical rule and the oppressive Taliban regime that sought to deny women and girls their education. The Taliban attempted to assassinate her, but she escaped in 2012 (Supaat & Suciati, 2020). Instead of cowing, she became strengthened by the assassination attempt. She mobilized resources to empower the girls through education.
In promoting peace, both Xiaobo and Malala Yousafzai have made significant contributions to peace worldwide. Xiaobo challenged the Chinese leadership and inspired respect for human rights through his political action (Francis, 2019). As a writer and a literary critic, he has advanced governance, and equality and promoted human dignity in his country. Meanwhile, Yousafzai portrays determination and courage in fighting against dictatorship, gender discrimination, and oppression. She inspired the entire population of Pakistan, the Arab world, and the world that education is a fundamental right that should be granted to every child.
Committee Report
The committee report justified Liu Xiaobo’s and Malala Yousafzai’s nomination as the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. The committee was impressed by the human rights advocacy fronted by Xiaobo, especially his role in the Tiananmen Square protests (Fitriyani et al., 2021). It further revealed Xiaobo’s efforts in advocating for democracy in China.
Furthermore, Xiaobo was a political activist who sought to establish the proper foundation for the country’s future. The committee acknowledged that Xiaobo made significant sacrifices and commitments. The efforts were meant to liberate China, putting his life at great risk.
The committee was specific in commenting on the beliefs Xiaobo was mentioned as the driving force behind his actions (Franci, 2019). The committee gave a full justification for the contribution of peace and fraternity among nations for the award of the prize to Xiaobo. In Yousafzai’s case, the committee noted that advocating for girls’ right to education was an act of courage and determination. More so, the dream of Yousafzai has had a global impact and caused advocacy for the rights of the girl child. The committee added that she became an image-wide symbol of hope globally.
Critical Analysis of Winners
It is logical to consider some of the criticism and reservations voiced concerning how suited the two winners were in their nomination. The government expressed its reservations that the internal affairs of China were being interfered with by Europe. This is because the actions of a revolt were being recognized globally. Other critics have voiced their concerns that Xiaobo’s efforts were futile since the government of China did not stop its authoritarian rule over the protests (Francis, 2019). Therefore, they argue that results and changes should have accompanied the recognition of Xiaobo as an outstanding individual.
Yousafzai has been acknowledged as a global leader in human rights activism, especially the advocacy for education. However, leaders argue that her efforts do not contribute to the world’s peace. Pakistanis note that the actions of Yousafzai were only effective within Pakistan and did not go beyond the boundaries of the country. They deny that Yousafzai ignited a global awakening of the need to advocate for girls’ education. Her actions are elsewhere deemed as developmental and not contributing to a peaceful world (Supaat & Suciati, 2020). They further argue that the contribution to peace should involve a ceasefire in political conflicts.
According to the voices of criticism, the focus on education is not associated with any of these factors that they consider to contribute to world peace (Altam & Pathan, 2021, 30). More so, Muslims have criticized the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Yousafzai, arguing that she was openly defying their culture and the Sharia law. The Sharia law does not give women leadership opportunities or chances for education, a culture that has existed for centuries (Altam & Pathan, 2021). Therefore, the critics point out that awarding Yousafzai a Nobel Peace Prize shows the Western world’s contempt for Islamic culture and Sharia law.
Some differences could be noticed between the two cases of the prize winners in this case. The government of China protested against the award of Xiaobo, arguing that it was a show of Western culture infiltrating Asia. The Taliban were much against Yousafzai because she is a woman and they thought that she did not deserve such an international accolade (Repez & Iftode, 2022). The Pakistani government was also against the case of seemingly being led by a woman. The women of Pakistan felt that they needed a leader like Yousafzai to help them.
In both cases, there are some similarities in criticism. The winners of the Nobel Peace Prize are criticized by their people, especially their governments since they rise to fight for the rights of some groups. They are also said to be rising against the majority’s belief within their countries’ boundaries.
For instance, Xiaobo’s case is seen as an interference in the internal affairs of China, while Yousafzai’s case is seen as an interference and contempt for the Sharia Law. Critics argue that the Nobel Peace Prize is highly politicized and rarely recognizes the achievements of peaceful efforts (Repez & Iftode, 2022). They point out that the committee aims at promoting some intended political agenda, especially in non-western countries.
Conclusion
The Nobel Peace Prize rewards individuals who have positively promoted world peace by impacting their communities and the global arena. Liu Xiaobo’s award of the Nobel Peace Prize was due to his efforts in promoting peace in China. Malala Yousafzai’s award was for the recognition of her efforts in fostering peace through advocacy on education. Although both winners have been criticized, the Nobel Peace Prize Committee blamed China and Pakistan. Both winners were activists, although Xiaobo was in the political arena while Yousafzai was in the social space.
References
Altam, S., & Pathan, M. (2021). Rhetorical & persuasive language: A critical discourse analysis of Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel lecture. South Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(2), 27-37.
Fitriyani, S. H., Mujiyanto, J., & Warsono, W. (2021). The indicators of potential presuppositions in Malala’s speeches as the Nobel Peace Laureate. English Education Journal, 11(2), 289-297. Web.
Francis, N. (2019). The journey of Liu Xiaobo: From Dark Horse to Nobel laureate. Web.
Heyking, J. (2023). Self-giving and the constitution of political order: the case of Liu Xiaobo. Perspectives on Political Science, 52(2), 51-59. Web.
Repez, F., & Iftode, F. (2022). Messengers of human security: malala yousafzai and immaculée ilibagiza. Acta Universitatis Danubius. Relations Internationales, 15(2). Web.
Supaat, S., & Suciati, S. (2020). Peace education taught by the female Muslim Nobel Peace Prize laureates in the 21st century. PALASTREN: Jurnal Studi Gender, 13(1), 163-178. Web.