Obama told he 'fuels terror'

IssueNovember 2013
News by Lucca Rossi, Jessica Corbett

US drone attacks are increasing the risk of terrorism, the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize nominee told US president Barack Obama during a private meeting in the White House in Washington DC on 11 October.

Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan, 16, said in a statement released after the meeting that she had thanked the president for supporting education in Pakistan and Afghanistan: ‘I also expressed my concerns that drone attacks are fuelling terrorism. Innocent victims are killed in these acts, and they lead to resentment among the Pakistani people.’

A year ago, a Taliban gunman shot Yousafzai in the head because she criticised the ban on girls receiving education.

Yousafzai has since gained global recognition for her work promoting girls’ education in Pakistan.

On 22 October, Amnesty International released a joint report with Human Rights Watch, investigating US drone strikes in Pakistan. In response to evidence outlined in the report, Amnesty says the US should stand trial for war crimes.