Following the meeting with Ms Tawakkol Karman, one of the three women laureates of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize, to be awarded to her on 10 December 2011 in Oslo, the President of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek stated:

"I am truly honoured to welcome Tawakkol Karman to the European Parliament. She is not only an inspiration to the youth of Yemen, but also to all of us around the world who value universal human rights and peaceful struggle for democracy.

Tawakkol Karman has stood up for her undeniable rights as a woman fighting for equality, as a journalist defending the freedom of expression, and as a young Yemeni citizen battling for true democracy in a country, which has suffered under autocratic rule for decades.

Yemen stands at the crossroads today. As much as we welcome the recently signed agreement on political transition, it will require more for achieving true democratic change: neither transition nor reconciliation can be achieved without justice.

The crimes and massive human rights violations of the recent months, which are still going on today, require a proper, independent investigation. This is the legitimate aspiration of the Yemeni people and the cornerstone for building a free and peaceful future.

Tawakkol Karman has dedicated her life for the common good of her people. Through the award of the Nobel Peace Prize, we make her struggle ours. We stand firmly in support for her struggle and the struggle of the people of Yemen."

Note to editors:

Ms Tawakkol Karman is President of Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) and Coordinator of Yemeni Youth Revolution.

Libor Rouček, Vice President of the European Parliament and Angelika Niebler, Chair of the Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula support this statement in their respective capacity.

• Marcin Grajewski

  Press Team Leader

  Mobile: +32 498 981 550

• Friedrich Bokern

  Press Officer

  Mobile: +32 498 981 348