The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, established in 1988, is one of the instruments of the European Parliament to support the fight against any violation of human rights around the world.
This year, the Venezuelan opposition leaders and political prisoners have been awarded the Sakharov prize. The European Parliament said it wanted to reward the courage of students and politicians fighting for freedom in the face of a repressive government.
Guy Verhofstadt of the ALDE liberal group said: “this award supports the fight of democratic forces for a democratic Venezuela”. He urged the international community “to join us in this fight for the freedom of the people of Venezuela”.
Other shortlisted nominees for the 2017 editions of the prize included:
- Asia Bibi (Pakistan).
- Aura Lolita Chavez Ixcaquic (Guatemala).
- Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yűksekdağ (Turkey).
- Dawit Isaak (Swedish-Eritrean).
- Pierre Claver Mbonimpa (Burundi).
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