Every year, the European Parliament awards this prize to someone who has committed themselves to human rights and fundamental freedoms. President Volodymyr Zelensky participated via video connection during the ceremony in Strasbourg.
Due to the Russian war against Ukraine, all Ukrainian citizens have to make many sacrifices. They fight to protect their homes, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. Also, for freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and European values. They are now being rewarded by the European Parliament with the Sakharov Prize.
The award was presented to various representatives, including the newly appointed Nobel Peace Prize winner Oleksandra Matviychuk. She is a human rights lawyer and chair of the Center for Civil Liberties. Other representatives included Mayor Ivan Federov of the city of Melitopol.
President Zelensky called for action: ‘We must act now and not wait until the war is over, to bring to justice all those who caused the war and to prevent new aggression.’
Zelensky and the Ukrainian people ‘have been enduring the extraordinarily brutal blows from the dictator in the Kremlin for almost a year now,’ said Member of the European Parliament Peter van Dalen (Christian Union). ‘But they stand firm, gain ground, and pay the highest price for it. They deserve the Sakharov Prize more than anyone else.’
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded annually by the European Parliament. The distinction was established in 1988 to honor persons, organizations, and entities advocating for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The prize is named after Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, who was imprisoned for many years because of his opinions.