The first Arab woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize has called on the international community to support the pro-democracy protests that have swept across the Arab world this year.

Speaking at the ceremony, Yemeni journalist Tawakkul Karman, who shares the prize with Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and rights activist Leymah Gbowee, called on the international community to intensify support for the wave of protests in the Middle East.

"The democratic world, which has told us a lot about the virtues of democracy and good governance, should not be indifferent to what is happening in Yemen and Syria," said Karman.

"These (Arab leaders) should be brought to justice before the International Criminal Court; there should be no immunity for killers who rob the food of the people."

However, she also expressed her disappointment at the failure to understand and fully support protestors in Yemen, adding,

"This should haunt the world's conscience because it challenges the very idea of fairness and justice."

At 32 years old, Karman is also the youngest person to receive the award.

Thorbjoern Jagland, the head of the Nobel Peace Prize selection committee, also commented on the Arab spring, saying,

"No dictator can in the long run find shelter from this wind of history."

"It was this wind which led people to crawl up on to the Berlin Wall and tear it down. It is the wind that is now blowing in the Arab world."

"Not even President Saleh was able, and President Assad in Syria will not be able, to resist the people's demand for freedom and human rights."

"The leaders in Yemen and Syria who murder their people to retain their own power should take note of the following: mankind's fight for freedom and human rights never stops."

Jagland, went on to praise all three women as representatives in the struggle for “human rights in general and of women for equality and peace in particular.”