Sakharov Prize to award the Human Rights Defenders

Written by Irina Popova 

What is it? 

Every year since 1988, the European Union’s highest tribute to human rights the Sakharov Prize is awarded in Strasbourg. This honorary prize is dedicated to those who have devoted their lives to defending freedom of thought and fundamental human rights. It is granted to individuals, groups, and even organizations. The recipients of the Sakharov Prize are not always professional human rights advocates; they have included mothers, wives, dissidents, cartoonists, filmmakers, and long-serving prisoners of conscience. Through this award, their courage and commitment to justice are recognized and celebrated on a global stage.i

The Sakharov Prize was intended to be awarded annually to a study or work addressing one of the following areas: (i) the development of East-West relations in the light of the Helsinki Final Act15, (ii) protection of freedom of scientific inquiry, (iii) defense of human rights, (iv) government practices in the light of the letter of Constitutions. ii Along with the honor and recognition, the prize also includes a monetary award of 50,000 euros, for those those who have stood  for human justice. 

History: 

The award is named after Andrei Sakharov (1921–1989), a renowned Soviet physicist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate honored in 1975. Although he worked on the development of nuclear weapons for the Soviet Union, he became widely recognized for his commitment to political activism and the defense of human rights. iii 

In 1948, as a promising young physicist, he joined the Soviet Atomic Bomb Project. Patriotic Sakharov believed in the importance of breaking America’s monopoly on nuclear weapons. However, he soon learned about the devastating danger of the atomic bomb and the consequences of the nuclear arms race and tried to raise awareness about it. Andrei Sakharov became a political activist and a big critic of Soviet power. In 1967 he wrote a letter to Soviet authorities asking them to accept the US proposal to abandon their antimissile defenses, however, it was ignored by the Soviet leaders. For his efforts, Andrei Sakharov was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1975 “for his struggle for human rights in the Soviet Union, for disarmament and cooperation between all nations.”  Even after receiving the prize, he continued to make statements to the West and criticize the Soviet system. The authorities were furious, about Sakharov’s political activity, and in 1980 he was arrested and exiled to Gorky city. iv He was kept under Soviet surveillance between 1980 and 1986. Even then he tried to keep up the contact with the West and continue his human rights work. Soon, after his release in 1987, European Parliament established the “Prize for the Freedom of Thought”. Lord Nicholas Bethell a deputy of the European Parliament asked Andrei Sakharov to allow his name to be used for the prize, which Sakharov accepted. v 

 

How is it Happening? 

Each year, nominations open in September, and each chosen candidate for the prize needs support from at least 40 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). An MEP can only support one nominee. After nominations, committees on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, and Development review and select three finalists for the prize. The winner is decided by the Conference of Presidents, which includes the Parliament’s President and leaders of political groups. After that, the winner is announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in December in Strasbourg.vi 

 

Why is it important? Conclusion 

The Sakharov Prize highlights people who risk their lives and liberties to protect human rights and justice. Recognizing their efforts honors their bravery while also amplifying their voices on a worldwide scale. The prize offers moral and political support, encouraging honorees to continue their important work to help people. It reminds the world of the universal principles of liberty, equality, and human dignity. Inspired by Andrei Sakharov’s legacy, the prize is a powerful symbol of resistance to injustice and a call to protect human rights worldwide. 

Featured Photo by Elyssa DeDios on Unsplash

CSOs meet with the European Parliament’s 2023 Sakharov Prize Laureate and Finalists.

Discussion laureates’ ‘’Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life Freedom Movement in Iran’’ representatives and MEP Abir Al-Sahlani, led by Ringaile Razauskiene

The EP Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, initiated in 1988 to commend individuals or groups championing human rights and fundamental freedoms, was awarded to the late Iranian protest figure Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.

Jina Mahsa Amini, who tragically passed away at 22 while detained by Iran’s religious police, was honoured alongside the movement she inspired. The finalists included Vilma Núñez de Escorcia and Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos from Nicaragua, as well as advocates for abortion rights: Ms Justyna Wydrzyńska from Poland, Ms Morena Herrera from El Salvador, and Dr Colleen McNicholas from the US.

The prize ceremony occurred on Monday, the 11th, followed by a robust discussion session and panel at the European Parliament on Tuesday, the 12th. Representatives from 21 civil society organisations, including Broken Chalk, participated in the event alongside MEP Abir Al-Sahlani.

Civil society organisations meet with the European Parliament’s 2023 Sakharov Prize laureate and finalists

The discussion session and panel aimed to provide a platform for the Sakharov Prize finalists to highlight their challenges and explore potential collaborations with civil society organisations. It also facilitated increased cooperation within these organisations.

Among the finalists, 84-year-old human rights defender Vilma Núñez de Escorcia, co-founder of the Nicaraguan Centre for Human Rights, and Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos, facing persecution for his outspoken stance on Nicaragua’s crisis, were represented in the panel. Additionally, abortion rights activist Ms Justyna Wydrzyńska, feminist Ms Morena Herrera, and obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr Colleen McNicholas shared their unwavering commitment to reproductive rights.

A panel titled “Discussion with Human Rights Activists” featured Lorent Saleh, a Venezuelan human rights activist; Louise Xin, a Paris-based fashion designer; and Pegah Moshir Pour, an advocate for human and digital rights with roots in Iran and Italy. The event shed light on these activists’ diverse and impactful work in human rights.

The 2023 Sakharov Prize finalists were :

Vilma Nuñez de Escorcia is an 84-year-old human rights defender and co-founder of the Nicaraguan Centre for Human Rights (CENIDH). A former Nicaraguan Supreme Court Magistrate, she has tirelessly fought for human rights in Nicaragua for decades. Ms Sara Henríquez represented her during the panel.

Monsignor Rolando José Álvarez Lagos, Bishop of the Diocese of Matagalpa, has since 2018, been the victim of persecution for his sermons, in which he has reflected on the country’s crisis, state repression and the victims of human rights violations. Father Uriel Vallejos represented him.

Ms Justyna Wydrzyńska is an abortion rights activist and women’s rights defender renowned for her work supporting individuals who seek to have an abortion.

Ms. Morena Herrera is a feminist and social activist dedicated to advocating for safe and legal abortion access in her country. She is the founder of the country’s first feminist organisation and serves as the president of the Citizen’s Group for the Decriminalization of Abortion.

Dr Colleen McNicholas is a distinguished obstetrician gynaecologist known for her unwavering commitment to high-quality patient care and impactful advocacy in reproductive health.

Panelists:

Lorent Saleh is a Venezuelan human rights activist who has defended human rights since 2007, often facing repeated detentions by Venezuelan authorities.

Louise Xin was Born in China, raised in Sweden, and based in Paris. She is a self-taught, multi-award-winning fashion designer, creative director and the founder of  Scandinavia’s first rental-only, non-sale couture brand.

Pegah Moshir Pour is a consultant and activist for human and digital rights. Born in Iran and raised in Italy, Moshir Pour was at the forefront of social media diffusion after Mahsa Jina Amini’s death.