MEPs Announce 2024 Sakharov Prize Finalists: Spotlight on Global Champions of Freedom and Democracy

MEPs Narrow Down 2024 Sakharov Prize Contenders

Spread the news:

On Thursday, the Foreign Affairs and Development committees of the European Parliament selected the three final candidates for the 2024 Sakharov Prize.

After conducting a confidential vote, Members of the European Parliament have chosen the three finalists for the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Listed alphabetically, they are:

– Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu is known for his academic work and activism against corruption in Azerbaijan. María Corina Machado leads the democratic movement in Venezuela, with President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia representing all Venezuelans committed to reclaiming freedom and democracy. In Israel and Palestine, groups like "Women Wage Peace" and "Women of the Sun" are prominent. To learn more about the candidates and finalists, please follow this link.

Upcoming Decisions:

On Thursday, October 24, the Conference of Presidents, which includes the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola and the leaders of the political groups, will select the recipient of the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The chosen winner(s) will be revealed during the plenary session in Strasbourg immediately following the decision. The award ceremony, which provides a prize of EUR 50,000, will be held during the December plenary session in Strasbourg.

Historical Context:

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named after Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov who allowed his name to be used, is the European Union’s most prestigious human rights award. Since its inception in 1988, the Parliament has annually honored individuals or organizations for their contributions to human rights advocacy, particularly in areas like freedom of expression, protection of minority rights, adherence to international law, promotion of democracy, and upholding the rule of law.

Notable past recipients of the award include Nelson Mandela and Anatoly Marchenko, who were the first to be recognized. Other honorees have included dissidents, political figures, journalists, lawyers, civil society activists, the United Nations, and even a young activist championing the right to education. Several laureates of the Sakharov Prize have also been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, such as Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Denis Mukwege, and Nadia Murad. For a complete list of past winners, click here. In 2023, the prize was awarded to Jina Mahsa Amini and the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement in Iran.

**Connections:**

– Elodie Laborie

– Eoghan Walsh

**Additional Details:**

– Details about the product

– Link to share this page

**Latest Updates:**

– News

**Regional Representation:**

– European Parliament in your nation

**Resources:**

– Instruments and utilities

**Leadership:**

– The Head of the European Parliament

**Institution Overview:**

– European Parliament

**Social Media Presence:**

– The Parliament on social platforms

**Informative Resources:**