MEPs Reveal Finalists for 2024 Sakharov Prize: Celebrating Champions of Freedom and Democracy

MEPs Narrow Down 2024 Sakharov Prize Nominees

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On Thursday, the Foreign Affairs and Development committees of the European Parliament selected the top three contenders for the 2024 Sakharov Prize through a voting process.

After conducting a confidential vote, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have chosen the three final contenders for the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The finalists, listed alphabetically, are as follows:

Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, an academic and anti-corruption advocate from Azerbaijan; María Corina Machado, who leads the democratic movement in Venezuela alongside President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia, representing Venezuelans globally in their quest to reclaim freedom and democracy; and the organizations "Women Wage Peace" and "Women of the Sun" from Israel/Palestine, are notable figures and groups. You can learn more about these nominees and finalists by clicking on this link.

Upcoming Events:

The Conference of Presidents, which includes the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and the leaders of the political groups, is set to select the 2024 recipient of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought on Thursday, October 24. The announcement of the winner(s) will occur immediately afterward during a plenary session in Strasbourg. The prize, which includes a monetary award of €50,000, will be officially presented at the December plenary session in Strasbourg.

Context:

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named after the Soviet physicist and political dissenter Andrei Sakharov who consented to lend his name to the award, stands as the EU’s most prestigious human rights accolade. Since 1988, the European Parliament has annually honored individuals or organizations for their contributions to human rights, particularly in areas such as freedom of expression, protection of minority rights, adherence to international law, democracy development, and upholding the rule of law. The award has recognized numerous distinguished recipients, including Nelson Mandela and Anatoly Marchenko in its inaugural year, as well as dissidents, political figures, journalists, attorneys, civil society activists, the United Nations, and a young advocate for education rights. Several recipients of the Sakharov Prize have also been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, including Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Denis Mukwege, and Nadia Mourad. For a comprehensive list of past winners, please follow this link.

In 2023, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was conferred upon Jina Mahsa Amini and Iran's ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement.

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Elodie LABORIE

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