Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege, president of the jury awarding the prize, praised Merkel for having opened the gates of Germany ”on the identical time many different international locations had been overcome with concern.”
“You confirmed public opinion and decision-makers that we’ve got not solely to defend our personal rights, however these of others in instances of disaster, that every society wants greater than ever to respect and shield human rights with none type of discrimination,” he mentioned.
“We commend your humanity, your spirit of solidarity and your eager sense of ethics and your inspiring management,” he added.
In accepting the award, Merkel spoke of present refugee crises, notably the conflict in Ukraine.
“We had thought that the time of conflict in Europe had handed,” Merkel mentioned. “However because the 24th of February of final yr, which is when Russia’s vicious aggression on Ukraine came about, we’ve got come to the unhappy conclusion that that’s not the case. This has shaken Europe to its roots.”
The 68-year-old center-right politician, who led Germany for 16 years, has saved a comparatively low profile since handing over to successor Olaf Scholz in December 2021.
Amongst a number of different appearances, the one-time physicist accepted an award from the U.N. refugee company and gave a speech honoring the previous head of a nationwide scientific academy during which she talked about intestine flora and antibiotic resistance. Her political memoirs are attributable to be printed in 2024.
The Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize awarded to Merkel on Wednesday is called for Ivory Coast’s first president after independence from France in 1960. The award was introduced to Merkel in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast’s capital and the hometown of the late Houphouët-Boigny.
Larson reported from Dakar, Senegal.
