the Sakharov Prize of the European Parliament awarded to the “courageous” Ukrainian people

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was awarded on Wednesday 19 October by the European Parliament to “courageous” Ukrainian people in the face of the Russian invasion. “This award is dedicated to the Ukrainians who are fighting on the ground. To those who have been forced to flee. To those who have lost loved ones and friends. To all those who resist and fight for their beliefs”said the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. She specified that this choice had made “consensus” among the parliamentary political groups in the hemicycle in Strasbourg.

“I know the brave people of Ukraine will not back down, and neither will we.”she added, pointing out that Ukrainians were also risking their lives “to safeguard the values ​​in which we all believe: freedom, democracy, the rule of law”. The award-winning Ukrainian people are represented “by its President Volodymyr Zelensky, its elected officials and civil society”said Roberta Metsola.

For his part, President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Wednesday the presentation of the prestigious prize to Ukrainians, saluting his people who are fighting for “freedom and democracy”. “Ukrainians prove their commitment to the values ​​of freedom and democracy every day on the battlefield against the Russian terrorist state”assured Volodymyr Zelensky on Twitter, stressing that the support of the EU was “very important for Ukraine”.

Two other finalists were in the running: the founder of WikiLeaks Julian Assange, detained in London, and the Commission for the Truth of Colombia, a body which investigates human rights violations during the armed conflict with the guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia ( Stuffed). Created in 1988, the Sakharov Prize “for freedom of spirit” annually rewards individuals or organizations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is endowed with a sum of 50,000 euros.