Sakharov Prize: honouring human rights defenders
Congolese gynaecologist Denis Mukwege was awarded this year's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, following a decision by EP President Martin Schulz and the political group leaders. The European Parliament has been awarding the Sakharov Prize since 1988 to exceptional individuals or organisations for their efforts to foster human rights and freedom of expression. Read on to find out more about the prize and this year's edition.
The nominations for this year's prize were formally presented on 23 September. The foreign affairs and development committees voted on a shortlist of three finalists on 7 October. The winner was decided by Schulz and the political group leaders on 21 October. Mukwege received the award during a special ceremony in Strasbourg on 26 November.
About the Sakharov Prize
The prize is named after Andrei Sakharov (1921-1989), the Russian physicist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1975 for his work to defend human rights and highlight the dangers of the nuclear arms race.
Supporting human rights
The European Parliament takes all human rights violations seriously, no matter where they take place. MEPs regularly highlight abuses, help monitor elections around the world, ensure that human rights are protected in the EU's external economic and trade agreements, and award the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought every year.
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