EU Announces Diverse Candidates for 2024 Sakharov Prize: Human Rights Champions from Venezuela to Palestine

Nominees for the 2024 Sakharov Prize Revealed

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During a joint committee session on Thursday, political factions put forward their nominees for the 2024 Sakharov Prize. The final three contenders will be chosen in October.

The nominees for the 2024 Sakharov Prize, the EU's highest honor for human rights advocacy, have been announced. They include:

– María Corina Machado, leader of the democratic movement in Venezuela, and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia, representing all Venezuelans striving for the restoration of freedom and democracy, nominated by the EPP group.

– "Women Wage Peace" and "Women of the Sun," along with their co-founders Yael Admi and Reem Hajajreh from Israel/Palestine, nominated by the S&D group.

– Elon Musk from the United States, nominated by the Patriots for Europe group.

– Edmundo González Urrutia from Venezuela, also nominated by the ECR group.

– "Women Wage Peace" & "Women of the Sun" from Israel/Palestine, additionally nominated by the Renew Europe group.

– Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu from Azerbaijan, nominated by The Greens/EFA group.

– Journalists in Palestine, including Hamza & Wael Al-Dahdouh, Plestia Alaqad, Shireen Abu Akleh, and Ain Media in honor of Yasser Murtaja & Roshdi Sarraj, nominated by The Left group.

– Elon Musk from the United States, also nominated by the Europe of Sovereign Nations group.

The candidates were introduced today during a joint session of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Subcommittee on Human Rights, and the Committee on Development.

Background and Future Actions

First awarded in 1988 to Nelson Mandela and Anatoli Marchenko, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the EU's most prestigious award for human rights efforts. It recognizes individuals, groups, and organizations that have significantly contributed to the defense of freedom of thought, particularly focusing on freedom of expression, minority rights, adherence to international law, the advancement of democracy, and the rule of law. In 2023, the prize was awarded to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran.

On September 19, MEPs and political groups put forth their nominees for the Sakharov Prize. Each candidate must be endorsed by at least one political group or 40 MEPs, and each Member of the European Parliament can support only one candidate.

A shortlist of three finalists will be determined through a vote by the Foreign Affairs and Development committees on October 17. The ultimate winner(s) will be selected by the Conference of Presidents, a European Parliament body chaired by the President and composed of the leaders of all political groups represented in Parliament, making the selection a pan-European decision. This year, the Conference of Presidents will announce the laureate on October 24. The award ceremony will be held on December 18 during a plenary session in Strasbourg.

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Elodie LABORIE

Eoghan WALSH

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