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