Sakharov Prize

European award for human rights

For other uses, see Sakharov Prize (disambiguation).

Award

Sakharov Prize
for Freedom and Thought

The 2023 Sakharov Prize diploma awarded to Mahsa Jina Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran.

Awarded for| Recognizing individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to protecting freedom of thought.
Presented by| European Parliament
Reward(s)| A diploma and a monetary award of €50,000
First award| December 1988; 36 years ago (1988-12)
Website| Official website
|  | Currently held by
María Corina Machado
Edmundo González |

|
|

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, commonly known as the Sakharov Prize, is an honorary award for individuals or groups who have dedicated their lives to the defence of human rights and freedom of thought.[1] Named after Russian scientist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, the prize was established in December 1988 by the European Parliament.

A shortlist of nominees is drawn up annually by the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs and Committee on Development. The MEPs who make up those committees then select a shortlist in September.[2] Thereafter, the final choice is given to The European Parliament's Conference of Presidents (President and political group's leaders) and the laureate's name is announced late in October. The prize is awarded in a ceremony at the Parliament's Strasbourg hemicycle (round chamber) in December.[3][2] The prize includes a monetary award of €50,000.[3]

The first prize was awarded jointly to South African Nelson Mandela and Russian Anatoly Marchenko. The 1990 award was given to Aung San Suu Kyi, but she could not receive it until 2013 as a result of her political imprisonment in Burma.[4] The prize has also been awarded to organisations, the first being the Argentine Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in 1992. Six Sakharov laureates were subsequently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize: Aung San Suu Kyi (1991), Nelson Mandela (1993), Malala Yousafzai (2014), Denis Mukwege (2018), Nadia Murad (2018) and Memorial (2022).[5]

Razan Zaitouneh (2011) was kidnapped in 2013 and is still missing.[6] Nasrin Sotoudeh (2012) was released from prison in September 2013,[7] but is still barred from leaving Iran, along with fellow 2012 laureate Jafar Panahi.[8] The 2017 prize was awarded to the Democratic Opposition in Venezuela, under boycott of the European United Left–Nordic Green Left.[9][10]

As of 2024, the prize has been awarded to 51 recipients: 39 individuals (with 3 posthumously given) and 12 organizations.

## Laureates and nominees

[edit]

Year  | Award  | Nominees  | Country/
Headquarters  | Nominators

|
|
|
|

1988  | Laureate  | Nelson Mandela (1918–2013)
Anatoly Marchenko (1938–1986)  |  South Africa
Soviet Union  |
Finalists[11]
Roald Zelichenok (1936–2024)  |  Soviet Union  |
Longlists[11]
Larisa Bogoraz (1929–2004)  |  Soviet Union  |
International Human Rights Association
(founded in ?)  |  Switzerland  |
Natan Sharansky (born 1948)  |  Israel  |
Mordechai Vanunu (born 1954)  |  Israel  |
1989  | Laureate  | Alexander Dubček (1921–1992)  |  Czechoslovakia  | European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party
and Luigi Alberto Colajanni and other MEPs
Finalists[11]
Doina Cornea (1929–2018)  |  Romania  | Greens–European Free Alliance and
Christopher Prout and other MEPs
Gyula Horn (1932–2013)  |  Hungary  | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
and European People's Party
Longlists[11]
Tadeusz Mazowiecki (1927–2013)  |  Poland  | Anne McIntosh and other MEPs
Chico Mendes (1944–1988)  |  Brazil  | The Left in the European Parliament
1990  | Laureate  | Aung San Suu Kyi (born 1945)[a] |  Myanmar | European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party
Finalists[11]
László Tőkés (born 1952)  |  Hungary  | European People's Party
Fang Lizhi (1936–2012)  |  China  | The Left in the European Parliament
Longlists[11]
Universidad Católica de El Salvador
(founded 1982)  |  El Salvador  | Rosy Bindi and other MEPs
Ibrahim Rugova (1944–2006)  |  Yugoslavia | Greens–European Free Alliance
Adem Demaçi (1936–2018)[b] |  Yugoslavia | Jaak Vandemeulebroucke and other MEPs
Chico Mendes (1944–1988)[b] |  Brazil  | Left Unity Group
Aziz Nesin (1915–1995)[b] |  Turkey
1991  | Laureate  | Adem Demaçi (1936–2016)  |  Yugoslavia | European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party,
Greens–European Free Alliance,
European People's Party,
and Alexander Langer and other MEPs
Finalists[11]
László Tőkés (born 1952)  |  Hungary  | European People's Party
Terry Waite (born 1939)  |  United Kingdom  | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
Longlists[11]
Mikhail Gorbachev (1931–2022)
Boris Yeltsin (1931–2006)  |  Soviet Union  | The Left in the European Parliament
Nancy Gracey (?-2025)  |  United Kingdom  | CG Group
Eduard Shevardnadze (1928–2014)  |  Georgia  | European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party
Wei Jingsheng (born 1950)  |  China  | European Democratic Party
1992  | Laureate  | Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo (founded in 1977)  |  Argentina |
Finalists[11]
Alija Izetbegović (1925–2003)  |  Bosnia-Herzegovina  |
Maria Elena Cruz Varela (born 1953)  |  Cuba  |
Longlists[11]
Cuban Commission for Human Rights
and National Reconciliation (founded in 1987)  |  Cuba  |
Giovanni Falcone (1939–1992)
Paolo Borsellino (1940–1992)  |  Italy  |
Rigoberta Menchú (born 1959)  |  Guatemala  |
1993  | Laureate  | Oslobođenje (founded in 1943)  |  Bosnia-Herzegovina  |
Finalists[11]
Xanana Gusmão (born 1946)  |  East Timor  |
Gendün Rinchen (1926–1997)  |  China  |
Longlists[11]
Cedric Mayson (1927–2015)  |  South Africa  |
Volmer do Nascimento (?–1991)  |  Brazil  |
Salman Rushdie (born 1947)  |  United Kingdom  |
1994  | Laureate  | Taslima Nasrin (born 1962)  |  Bangladesh  |
Finalists[11]
Sebastian Arcos Bergnes (1931–1997)  |  Cuba  |
Leyla Zana (born 1961)[c] |  Turkey  |
Longlists[11]
Xanana Gusmão (born 1946)  |  East Timor  |
Samuel Ruiz (1924–2011)  |  Mexico  |
Wei Jingsheng (born 1950)  |  China  |
Mehdi Zana (born 1940)[c] |  Turkey  |
1995  | Laureate  | Leyla Zana (born 1961)  |  Turkey  |
Finalists[11]
Sergei Kovalev (1930–2021)  |  Russia  |
Naguib Mahfouz (1911–2006)  |  Egypt  |
Longlists[11]
Comunità San Patrignano (founded in 1978)  |  Italy  |
Community of Sant'Egidio (founded in 1968)  |  Italy  |
Palden Gyatso (1933–2018)  |  China  |
Ken Saro-Wiwa (1941–1995)  |  Nigeria  |
1996  | Laureate  | Wei Jingsheng (born 1950)  |  China  |
Finalists[11]
Samuel Ruiz (1924–2011)  |  Mexico  |
Leonel Morejón Almagro (born ?)  |  Cuba  |
Longlists[11]
Silvia Baraldini (born 1947)  |  Italy  |
Aleksandr Nikitin (born 1952)  |  Russia  |
1997  | Laureate  | Salima Ghezali (born 1958)  |  Algeria  |
Finalists[11]
Franjo Komarica (born 1946)  |  Bosnia-Herzegovina  |
Eleni Foka (born 1950)  |  Cyprus  |
Longlists[11]
Elizardo Sánchez (born 1944)  |  Cuba  |
1998  | Laureate  | Ibrahim Rugova (1944–2006)  |  Yugoslavia  |
Finalists[11]
Akın Birdal (born 1948)  |  Turkey  |
Ukshin Hoti (1942–1999)  |  Kosovo  |
Longlists[11]
ACCEPT (founded in 1996)  |  Romania  |
14th Dalai Lama (born 1935)  |  China  |
José Rainha Júnior (born 1960)  |  Brazil  |
Marta Beatriz Roque (born 1945)  |  Cuba  |
Mordechai Vanunu (born 1954)  |  Israel  |
1999  | Laureate  | Xanana Gusmão (born 1946)  |  East Timor  |
Finalists[11]
Angelina Atyam (born 1946)  |  Uganda  |
Radio B 2-92 (founded in 1989)  |  Serbia  |
Longlists[11]
Akın Birdal (born 1948)  |  Turkey  |
Khemaïs Ksila (born 1956)  |  Tunisia  |
Martin Lee (born 1938)  |  Hong Kong  |
2000  | Laureate  | ¡Basta Ya! (founded in 1994)  |  Spain  | Gerardo Galeote Quecedo and other MEPs
Finalists[11]
Angelina Atyam (born 1946)  |  Uganda  |
Andrei Babitsky (1964–2022)  |  Russia  |
Ngawang Sangdrol (born 1977)  |  China  |
Longlists[11]
Mumia Abu-Jamal (born 1954)  |  United States  |
Immaculée Birhaheka (born 1960)  |  DR Congo  |
Radhia Nasraoui (born 1953)  |  Tunisia  |
Aleksandr Nikitin (born 1952)  |  Russia  |
2001  | Laureate  | Nurit Peled-Elhanan (born 1949)
Izzat Ghazzawi (1951–2003)  |  Israel
Palestine  | Francis Wurtz and other MEPs
Zacarias Kamwenho (born 1934)  |  Angola  | José Ribeiro e Castro and other MEPs
Finalists[11]
Sihem Bensedrine (born 1950)  |  Tunisia  | Harlem Désir and other MEPs
Longlists[11]
Angelina Atyam (born 1946)  |  Uganda  | Emma Nicholson and other MEPs
Francisco de Roux (born 1943)  |  Colombia  | Antonio Di Pietro and other MEPs
Patrick Leahy (born 1940)  |  United States  | Mario Segni and other MEPs
Li Hongzhi (born 1951)  |  China  | Nelly Maes and other MEPs
Ngawang Sangdrol (born 1977)  |  China  | Thomas Mann and other MEPs
Morgan Tsvangirai (1952–2018)  |  Zimbabwe  | Johan Van Hecke and other MEPs
2002  | Laureate  | Oswaldo Payá (1952–2012)  |  Cuba  | Graham Watson and 3 other MEPs
Finalists[11]
Sihem Bensedrine (born 1950)
Saad Eddin Ibrahim (1938–2023)  |  Tunisia
Egypt  | Emma Bonino and 5 other MEPs
Morgan Tsvangirai (1952–2018)  |  Zimbabwe  | Geoffrey Van Orden and 3 other MEPs
Longlists[11]
Ahmad Shah Massoud (1953–2001)  |  Afghanistan  | Union for Europe of the Nations
Grigory Pasko (born 1962)  |  Ukraine  | Matti Wuori and 3 other MEPs
Kailash Satyarthi (born 1954)  |  India  | Luigi Vinci and other MEPs
2003  | Laureate  | Kofi Annan (1938–2018)
United Nations (founded in 1945)  |  Ghana
United Nations  | European People's Party and
Party of European Socialists
Finalists[11]
Akbar Ganji (born 1960)  |  Iran  | Greens–European Free Alliance
Sérgio Vieira de Mello (1948–2003)  |  Brazil  | European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party, The Left in the European Parliament, Union for Europe of the Nations and
José Ribeiro e Castro and other MEPs
Hans Blix (born 1928)
Mohamed ElBaradei (born 1942)  |  Sweden
Egypt  | The Left in the European Parliament
Longlists[11]
Saim Balmukhanov (1922–?)  |  Kazakhstan  | Struan Stevenson and other MEPs
Yury Bandazhevsky (born 1957)  |  Belarus  | Marie Anne Isler Béguin and other MEPs
Central Asian opposition leaders and campaigners
of democracy:

* Felix Kulov (born 1948)
* Muhammed Bekzhon (born ?)
* Batyr Berdyev (born 1960)
* Galymzhan Zhakiyanov (born 1963)

|  Kyrgyzstan
Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan
Kazakhstan  | Matti Wuori and other MEPs
2004  | Laureate  | Belarusian Association of Journalists
(founded in 1995)  |  Belarus  | Michael Gahler and other MEPs
Finalists[11]
Natalya Estemirova (1958–2009)  |  Russia  | Greens–European Free Alliance
Sergei Kovalev (1930–2021)  |  Russia  | Vytautas Landsbergis and other MEPs
Íngrid Betancourt (born 1961)  |  Colombia  | Party of European Socialists
Longlists[11]
Reporters Without Borders (born 1985)  |  France  | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Enzo Baldoni (1948–2004)
Rachel Corrie (1979–2003)
Leonid Roshal (born 1933)  |  Italy
United States
Russia  | The Left in the European Parliament
Alexander Esenin-Volpin (1924–2016)  |  Russia  | Independence/Democracy
Angelica Edna Calo Livne (born 1955)  |  Italy  | Mario Mauro and other MEPs
Václav Havel (1936–2011)  |  Czechoslovakia  | Jana Bobošíková and other MEPs
Ibrahim Hussein Zaki (born 1947)  |  Maldives  | Nirj Deva and other MEPs
Zubr (founded in 2001)  |  Belarus  | Rolandas Pavilionis and other MEPs
2005  | Laureate  | Ladies in White (born 2003)  |  Cuba  | Gerardo Galeote Quecedo and other MEPs
Reporters Without Borders (founded in 1989)  |  France  | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Hauwa Ibrahim (founded in 1989)  |  Nigeria  | Party of European Socialists
Longlists[15]
Yang Zili (born 1971)
Mojtaba Saminejad (born 1980)
Zouhair Yahyaoui (1967–2005)  |  China
Iran
Tunisia  | Greens–European Free Alliance
Mukhtar Mai (born 1972)  |  Pakistan  | The Left in the European Parliament
Gunārs Astra (1931–1988)  |  Latvia  | Union for Europe of the Nations
Alexander Esenin-Volpin (1924–2016)
Sergei Kovalev (1930–2021)  |  Russia  | Independence/Democracy
Mudawi Ibrahim Adam (born 1956)  |  Sudan  | Simon Coveney and other MEPs
Daniel Barenboim (born 1942)
West–Eastern Divan Orchestra (founded in 199)  |  Germany
Spain  | Erna Hennicot-Schoepges and other MEPs
Aminatou Haidar (born 1966)  |  Western Sahara  | Karin Scheele and other MEPs
2006  | Laureate  | Alaksandar Milinkievič (born 1947)  |  Belarus  | Union for Europe of the Nations
and European People's Party
Finalists[16]
The Colombians fighting for kidnapped hostages  |  Colombia  | Greens–European Free Alliance
Ghassan Tueni (1926–2012)[d] |  Lebanon  | The Left in the European Parliament
and Party of European Socialists
Longlists[16]
Íngrid Betancourt (born 1961)  |  Colombia  | Marie-Arlette Carlotti and other MEPs
Fulda-Moscho-Project (founded in 2002)
Muthgard Hinkelmann-Toewe (born 1940)  |  Germany
Kenya  | Alexander Nuno Alvaro and other MEPs
Vladimir Kozlov (born 1960)  |  Kazakhstan  | Toomas Hendrik Ilves and other MEPs
Erwin Kräutler (born 1939)  |  Austria  | Herbert Bösch (born 1954) and other MEPs
Somaly Mam (born 1970)  |  Cambodia  | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Mesfin Woldemariam (1930–2020)  |  Ethiopia  | Ana Maria Gomes and other MEPs
Women in Black (founded in 1991)  |  Serbia  | Jelko Kacin and other MEPs
2007  | Laureate  | Salih Mahmoud Osman (born 1957)  |  Sudan  | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
and Josep Borrell and 181 other MEPs
Finalists
Anna Politkovskaya (1958–2006)  |  Russia  | European People's Party
Hu Jia (born 1973)
Zeng Jinyan (born 1983)  |  China  | Greens–European Free Alliance
Longlists[17]
Patriarch Bartholomew I (born 1940)[e] |  Turkey  | Identity, Tradition, Sovereignty
Malalai Joya (born 1978)  |  Afghanistan  | The Left in the European Parliament
2008  | Laureate  | Hu Jia (born 1973)  |  China  | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe,
and Greens–European Free Alliance
Finalists
Alyaksandr Kazulin (born 1955)  |  Belarus  | Jacek Protasiewicz and 45 other MEPs
Apollinaire Malu Malu (1961–2016)  |  DR Congo  | Luisa Morgantini and 47 other MEPs
Longlists
Íngrid Betancourt (born 1961)  |  Colombia  | Party of European Socialists
14th Dalai Lama (born 1935)  |  China  | Union for Europe of the Nations and
Piia-Noora Kauppi and 40 other MEPs
Morgan Tsvangirai (1958–2018)  |  Zimbabwe  | Luís Queiró and 96 other MEPs
European Roma Rights Centre (founded in 1996)  |  Hungary  | The Left in the European Parliament
Mikhail Trepashkin (born 1957)  |  Belarus  | Independence/Democracy
2009  | Laureate  | Memorial (founded in 1989) and
human rights defenders in Russia:

* Lyudmila Alexeyeva (1927–2018)
* Oleg Orlov (born 1953)
* Sergei Kovalev (1930–2021)

|  Russia  | Greens–European Free Alliance and
Jacek Saryusz-Wolski and 59 other MEPs
Finalists[18]
Izzeldin Abuelaish (born 1955)  |  Palestine  | Véronique De Keyser and 54 other MEPs
Dawit Isaak (born 1964)  |  Eritrea
Sweden  | The Left in the European Parliament
and Olle Schmidt and 31 other MEPs
Longlists[19]
Fundación Vicente Ferrer (founded in 1996)  |  Spain  | Juan Andrés Perelló and 39 other MEPs
Mariam Lamizana (born 1951)  |  Burkina Faso  | Europe of Freedom and Democracy
Denis Mukwege (born 1955)  |  DR Congo  | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Thadeus Nguyễn Văn Lý (born 1946)  |  Vietnam  | Michael Gahler and 44 other MEPs
Shadi Sadr (born 1974)
Neda Agha-Soltan (1983–2009)
Iranian citizens and activists  |  Iran  | Marietje Schaake and 39 other MEPs
Roberto Saviano (born 1979)  |  Italy  | Sonia Alfano and 39 other MEPs
2010  | Laureate  | Guillermo Fariñas (born 1962)[f] |  Cuba  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group,
European People's Party, and
Edvard Kožušník and 91 other MEPs
Finalists[21]
Breaking the Silence (founded in 2004)  |  Israel  | The Left in the European Parliament
and Greens–European Free Alliance
Birtukan Mideksa (born 1974)  |  Ethiopia  | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
Longlists[22]
"Access" (founded in ?)  |  | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Haitham al-Maleh (born 1931)  |  Syria  | Heidi Hautala and 44 other MEPs
Aminatou Haidar (born 1966)  |  Western Sahara  | Norbert Neuser and 42 other MEPs
Dawit Isaak (born 1964)  |  Eritrea
Sweden  | Olle Schmidt and 40 other MEPs
Thadeus Nguyễn Văn Lý (born 1946)  |  Vietnam  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group
Open Doors (founded in 1955)  |  Netherlands
2011  | Laureate  | Five Arab spring activists:

* Asmaa Mahfouz (born 1985)
* Ahmed al-Senussi (born 1933)
* Razan Zaitouneh (born 1977)
* Ali Farzat (born 1951)
* Mohamed Bouazizi (1984–2011)

|  Egypt
Libya
Syria
Tunisia  | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe,
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats,
Greens–European Free Alliance and
European People's Party
Finalists
Dzmitry Bandarenka (born 1963)  |  Belarus  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group
San José de Apartadó Peace Community
(founded in 1997)  |  Colombia  | The Left in the European Parliament
Longlists[23] | Izzeldin Abuelaish (born 1955)  |  Palestine  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group
Boris Pahor (1933–2022)  |  Slovenia  | Milan Zver and 51 other MEPs
2012  | Laureate  | Nasrin Sotoudeh (born 1963)
Jafar Panahi (born 1960)  |  Iran  | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats,
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe,
Greens–European Free Alliance and
Elmar Brok and 38 other MEPs
Finalists
Ales Bialatski (born 1962)  |  Belarus  | Jacek Saryusz-Wolski and 82 other MEPs
Pussy Riot (founded in 2011)  |  Russia  | Werner Schulz and 45 other MEPs
Longlists[24]
Rwanda political prisoners represented by:

* Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza (born 1968)
* Déogratias Mushayid (born 1961)
* Bernard Ntaganda(born 1967)

|  Rwanda  | Willy Meyer Pleite and 41 other MEPs
Joseph Francis (born ?)  |  Pakistan  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group
2013  | Laureate  | Malala Yousafzai (born 1997)  |  Pakistan  | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats,
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe,
European Conservatives and Reformists Group,
and European People's Party
Finalists[25]
Belarusian political prisoners represented by:

* Ales Bialatski (born 1962)
* Eduard Lobau (1988–2023)
* Mikola Statkevich (born 1956)

|  Belarus  | Marek Migalski and 41 other MEPs
Edward Snowden (born 1983)  |  United States
Russia  | The Left in the European Parliament
and Greens–European Free Alliance
Longlists[26]
Reeyot Alemu (born 1980)
Eskinder Nega (born 1969)  |  Ethiopia  | Ana Maria Gomes and 40 other MEPs
Mikhail Khodorkovsky (born 1963)  |  Russia  | Werner Schulz and 40 other MEPs
"Standing Man" protesters  |  Turkey  | Marietje Schaake and 40 other MEPs
CNN Freedom Project (founded in 2011)  |  United States  | Boris Zala and 40 other MEPs
2014  | Laureate  | Denis Mukwege (born 1955)  |  DR Congo  | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
and Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Finalists
Leyla Yunus (born 1955)  |  Azerbaijan  | Greens–European Free Alliance
EuroMaiden represented by:

* Mustafa Nayyem (born 1981)
* Ruslana Lyzhychko (born 1973)
* Yelyzaveta Schepetylnykova (born ?)
* Tetiana Chornovol (born 1979)

|  Ukraine  | Jacek Saryusz-Wolski and 52 other MEPs
Longlists[27]
Mahmoud Al 'Asali (?–2014)
Louis Raphaël I Sako (born 1948)  |  Iraq  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group
Anna Záborská and 66 other MEPs
Organisations for the protection of Christian
minorities:

* Coordination of the Christians of East in Danger
(CHREDO) (founded 2013)
* Open Doors (founded in 1955)
* Oeuvre d'Orient (founded in 1856)
* Aid to the Church in Need (born 1947)

|  Netherlands
Belgium
Germany  | Philippe Juvin and 60 other MEPs
Ayaan Hirsi Ali (born 1969)  |  Somalia
United States  | Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy
2015  | Laureate  | Raif Badawi (born 1984)  |  Saudi Arabia  | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats,
European Conservatives and Reformists Group,
and Greens–European Free Alliance
Finalists[28]
Boris Nemtsov (1959–2015)  |  Russia  | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Venezuelan opposition and political prisoners |  Venezuela  | European People's Party
Longlist[29]
Edna Adan Ismail (born 1937)  |  Somalia  | Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy
Nadiya Savchenko (born 1981)  |  Ukraine  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group
Edward Snowden (born 1983)
Antoine Deltour (born 1985)
Stéphanie Gibaud (born 1965)  |  United States
Russia
France  | The Left in the European Parliament
2016  | Laureate  | Nadia Murad (born 1993)
Lamiya Haji Bashar (born 1998)  |  Iraq  | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe and
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
Finalists[30]
Can Dündar (born 1961)  |  Turkey  | Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy,
The Left in the European Parliament,
and Greens–European Free Alliance
Mustafa Dzhemilev (born 1943)  |  Ukraine  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group
and European People's Party Group
Longlists[31]
Ilham Tohti (born 1969)  |  China  | Ilhan Kyuchyuk and 42 other MEPs
2017  | Laureate  | Democratic opposition in Venezuela represented by
National Assembly and all political prisoners:

* Julio Borges (born 1969)
* Leopoldo López (born 1971)
* Antonio Ledezma (born 1955)
* Daniel Ceballos (born 1984)
* Yon Goicoechea (born 1984)
* Lorent Saleh (born 1988)
* Alfredo Ramos (born 1955)
* Andrea González (born ?)

|  Venezuela  | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
and European People's Party
Finalists
Aura Lolita Chavez Ixcaquic (born 1972)  |  Guatemala  | Greens–European Free Alliance
Dawit Isaak (born 1964)  |  Eritrea
Sweden  | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
Cecilia Wikström and 46 other MEPs
Longlists[32]
Asia Bibi (born 1971)  |  Pakistan  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group
Selahattin Demirtaş (born 1973)
Figen Yüksekdağ (born 1971)  |  Turkey  | The Left in the European Parliament
Pierre Claver Mbonimpa (born 1950)  |  Burundi  | Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy
2018  | Laureate  | Oleg Sentsov (born 1976)  |  Ukraine  | European People's Party
Finalists[33]
Nasser Zefzafi (born 1979)  |  Morocco  | The Left in the European Parliament
NGOs protecting human rights and saving migrant
lives across the Mediterranean Sea:

* Boat Refugee Foundation (founded in 2015)
* Jugend Rettet (founded in 2015)
* Lifeline Rescue Boat (founded in 2016)
* Médecins Sans Frontières (founded in 1971)
* Migrant Offshore Aid Station (founded in 2013)
* Proactiva Open Arms (founded in 2015)
* Proem-Aid (founded in 2015)
* Save the Children (founded in 1919)
* Sea-Eye (founded in 2015)
* Sea-Watch (founded in 2015)
* SOS Méditerranée (founded in 2015)

|  Germany
France
Malta
Netherlands
Spain
United Kingdom  | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
and Greens–European Free Alliance
Longlists[34]
Seyran Ateş (born 1963)  |  Germany  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group
"Caesar", Syrian military photographer (born ?)  |  Syria  | Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
Dewayne "Lee" Johnson (born 1972)  |  United States  | Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy
AfriForum (founded in 2006)  |  South Africa  | Europe of Nations and Freedom
Mary Wagner (born 1974)  |  Canada  | Marek Jurek and 41 other MEPs
2019  | Laureate  | Ilham Tohti (born 1969)  |  China  | Renew Europe
Finalists[35]
Marielle Franco (1979–2018)
Claudelice Silva dos Santos (born 1982)
Raoni Metuktire (born 1932)  |  Brazil  | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
and The Left in the European Parliament
The Restorers (founded in 2017)  |  Kenya  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group
Longlist[36]
Jean Wyllys (born 1974)
(nominated jointly with M. Franco) |  Brazil  | Greens–European Free Alliance
Alexei Navalny (1976–2024)  |  Russia  | European People's Party
2020[g] | Laureate  | Democratic opposition in Belarus represented by
Coordination Council members:

* Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (born 1982)
* Sergei Tikhanovsky (born 1878)
* Svetlana Alexievich (born 1948)
* Maria Kalesnikava (born 1982)
* Olga Kovalkova (born 1984)
* Veranika Tsapkala (born 1976)
* Ales Bialiatski (born 1962)
* Sergei Dylevsky (born 1989)
* Stsiapan Putsila (born 1998)
* Mikola Statkevich (born 1956)

|  Belarus  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group,
Renew Europe, European People's Party and
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
Finalists[38]
Berta Cáceres (1971–2016)
Guapinol environmental activists:

* Porfirio Sorto Cedillo (born 1974)
* José Avelino Cedillo (born ?)
* Orbin Naún Hernández (born ?)
* Kevin Alejandro Romero (born ?)
* Arnold Javier Aleman (born ?)
* Ever Alexander Cedillo (born 1991)
* Daniel Marquez (born ?)
* Jeremías Martínez Díaz (born ?)

|  Honduras  | Greens–European Free Alliance and
The Left in the European Parliament
Najib Mikhael Moussa (born 1955)  |  Iraq  | Identity and Democracy
Longlists[39]
Polish LGBTI activists:

* Jakub Gawron (born ?)
* Paulina Pająk (born 1992)
* Paweł Preneta (born 1980)
* Kamil Maczuga (born 1993)

|  Poland  | Malin Björk and 42 other MEPs
2021  | Laureate  | Alexei Navalny (1976–2024)  |  Russia  | European People's Party and Renew Europe
Finalists[40]
Jeanine Áñez (born 1967)  |  Bolivia  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group
Afghan women and human rights activists:

* Shaharzad Akbar (born 1987)
* Mary Akrami (born 1975)
* Zarifa Ghafari (born 1994)
* Palwasha Hassan (born 1969)
* Freshta Karim (born 1992)
* Sahraa Karimi (born 1985)
* Metra Mehran (born ?)
* Horia Mosadiq (born 1973)
* Sima Samar (born 1957)
* Habiba Sarābi (born 1956)
* Anisa Shaheed (born 1986)

|  Afghanistan  | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
and Greens–European Free Alliance
Longlist[41]
Sultana Khaya (born 1980)  |  Western Sahara  | The Left in the European Parliament
Global Witness (founded in 1993)  |  United Kingdom  | Marie Toussaint and other 42 MEPs
2022  | Laureate  | The Ukrainian people represented by:

* President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (born 1978)
* elected leaders, and civil society

|  Ukraine  | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats,
European Conservatives and Reformists Group
European People's Party Group, and
Renew Europe
Finalists[42]
Julian Assange (born 1971)  |  Australia  | Sabrina Pignedoli and 40 other MEPs
Colombia Truth Commission (founded in 2016)  |  Colombia  | The Left in the European Parliament
Longlists[43]
Sônia Guajajara (born 1974)  |  Brazil  | Greens–European Free Alliance
Shireen Abu Akleh (1971–2022)  |  Palestine  | Grace O'Sullivan and 42 other MEPs
2023  | Laureate  | Mahsa Jina Amini (1999–2022) and
Woman, Life, Freedom movement (founded in 2022)
Women in Iran |  Iran  | European People's Party, Renew Europe, and
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
Finalists[44]
Vilma Núñez (born 1938)
Rolando José Álvarez (born 1966)  |  Nicaragua  | Tilly Metz and 42 other MEPs
Women fighting for free, safe and legal abortion:

* Justyna Wydrzyńska (born 1970)
* Morena Herrera (born 1960)
* Colleen McNicholas (born ?)

|  Poland
El Salvador
United States  | The Left in the European Parliament
Longlist[45]
Vanessa Nakate (born 1996)  |  Uganda  | Greens–European Free Alliance
Elon Musk (born 1971)  |  United States  | Identity and Democracy
Afghan education activists:

* Marzia Amiri (born ?)
* Parasto Hakim (born ?)
* Matiullah Wesa (born 1992–3)

|  Afghanistan  | Petras Auštrevičius and 58 other MEPs
Pro-European people of Georgia
Nino Lomjaria (born1984)  |  Georgia  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group
2024  | Laureate  | María Corina Machado (born 1967)
Edmundo González (born 1949)  |  Venezuela  | European Conservatives and Reformists Group
and European People's Party Group
Finalists[46]
Gubad Ibadoghlu (born 1971)  |  Azerbaijan  | Greens–European Free Alliance
Women Wage Peace (founded in 2014)
Women of the Sun (founded in 2021)  |  Israel
Palestine  | Renew Europe
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats
Longlist[47]
Elon Musk (born 1971)  |  United States  | Europe of Sovereign Nations Group
and Patriots for Europe
Palestinian journalists in the Gaza Strip:

* Hamza Al-Dahdouh (1996–2024)
* Wael Al-Dahdouh (born 1970)
* Plestia Alaqad (born 2001)
* Shireen Abu Akleh (1971–2022)
* Ain Media in honour of Yaser Murtaja (1987–2018) and Roshdi Sarraj (1992–2023)

|  Palestine  | The Left in the European Parliament
2025  | to be announced on September 2025

### Table notes

[edit]

1. ^ At the time she received the award, Suu Kyi was an opposition politician and a former General Secretary of the National League for Democracy, known for her peaceful struggle against military rule in Myanmar. She personally accepted the award in 2013, after she was released from 15 years of house arrest. In 2020, the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament formally suspended Suu Kyi from the Sakharov Prize Community due to her role in the atrocities against the Rohingya people, but did not revoke the prize itself.[12][13][14]
2. ^ a b c The nominations of Adem Demaçi, Chico Mendes and Aziz Nesin in 1990 were eventually removed because it were received after the deadline.
3. ^ a b On 12 October 1994, the Committee on Foreign Affairs had decided to only submit nominations of individuals to the Conference of Presidents. Hence, rather than submiting a joint nomination of Mr. and Mrs. Zana, only the nomination of Leyla Zana would be submitted.
4. ^ Tueni was nominated in memory of five prominent Lebanese people who were assassinated in 2005: Gebran Tueni (1957–2005), Rafic Hariri (1944–2005), Bassel Fleihan (1963–2005), Samir Kassir (1960–2005) and George Hawi (1938–2005).
5. ^ Bartholomew I's nomination was subsequently removed from the list after the Patriarch told the Parliament he would not accept it.[17]
6. ^ On 15 December 2010, the prize was awarded to Guillermo Fariñas. However, the Cuban authorities did not allow the laureate to come to Strasbourg, despite the requests of Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament. The latter therefore placed the diploma on an empty chair, covered with a Cuban flag at the dissident's request.[20]
7. ^ Due to infection control measures taken because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of events related to the Sakharov Community were postponed in 2020, including the Sakharov Fellowship, One World in Brussels and the European Youth Event.[37]

## See also

[edit]

* Freedom of speech portal

* Nobel Peace Prize
* Gandhi Peace Prize

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "1986: Sakharov comes in from the cold". BBC News. 23 December 1986. Archived from the original on 26 December 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2010.
2. ^ a b "Sakharov Prize 2018: three finalists selected", News—European Parliament, 10 September 2018 Archived 10 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine.
3. ^ a b "Sakharov Prize". European Parliament. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
4. ^ Cook, Annabel (22 October 2013). "Aung San Suu Kyi collects Sakharov prize 23 years on". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
5. ^ Boshnaq, Mona; Chan, Sewell; Dremeaux, Lillie; Karasz, Palko; Kruhly, Madeleine (6 October 2017). "Nobel Peace Prize Winners Throughout History". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 13 October 2017.
6. ^ "Razan Zaitouneh". European Parliament. Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
7. ^ "Nasrin Sotoudeh". European Parliament. Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
8. ^ "Jafar Panahi". Archived from the original on 28 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
9. ^ Schreuer, Milan (26 October 2017). "Venezuelan Opposition Receives E.U.'s Sakharov Freedom Prize". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
10. ^ "Left to boycott politicised Sakharov Prize ceremony – GUE/NGL – Another Europe is possible". www.guengl.eu. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah "25 YEARS OF THE SAKHAROV PRIZE - European Parliament" (PDF). europarl.europa.eu. 11 November 2013.
12. ^ Merlin Sugue, EU Parliament suspends Aung San Suu Kyi from Sakharov Prize Community Archived 9 July 2021 at the Wayback Machine, Politico (10 September 2020).
13. ^ Press release, Aung San Suu Kyi suspended from the Sakharov Prize Community Archived 18 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine, European Parliament (10 September 2020).
14. ^ Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi suspended from rights prize community Archived 9 July 2021 at the Wayback Machine, Deutsche Welle (10 September 2020).
15. ^ "Nominees for the 2005 Sakharov prize" (PDF). europarl.europa.eu. December 2005. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
16. ^ a b "2006 Sakharov Prize – supporting Freedom of Thought around the world" (PDF). europarl.europa.eu. December 2006. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
17. ^ a b "2007 Sakharov Prize for Freedom and Thought" (PDF). europarl.europa.eu. September 2007. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
18. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2009: MEPs decide on shortlist of three". EU Monitor. 6 October 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
19. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2009: names of ten candidates unveiled" (PDF). europarl.europa.eu. September 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
20. ^ "Cuba's Guillermo Fariñas wins Sakharov Prize for Freedom and Thought" (PDF). europarl.europa.eu. 15 October 2010. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
21. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2010: three finalists". europarl.europa.eu. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
22. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2010 - 9 nominations". europarl.europa.eu. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
23. ^ "Five nomination for the 2011 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought". Euroalert. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
24. ^ "Nominations for 2012 Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought presented by MEPs". europarl.europa.eu. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
25. ^ "2013 Sakharov Prize finalists announced". europarl.europa.eu. 30 September 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
26. ^ "2013 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought - seven nominations". europarl.europa.eu. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
27. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2014: Meet the nominees". europarl.europa.eu. 23 October 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
28. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2015 finalists announced". europarl.europa.eu. 15 October 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
29. ^ "Sakharov Prize: the nominations for 2015 presented". europarl.europa.eu. 10 September 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
30. ^ "Discover the Finalists for the Sakharov Prize 2016". Civil Liberties Union for Europe. 11 October 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
31. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2016: MEPs present their nominations". europarl.europa.eu. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
32. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2017: discover the nominees". europarl.europa.eu. 14 September 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
33. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2018: the finalists". europarl.europa.eu. 9 October 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
34. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2018: discover the nominees". europarl.europa.eu. 27 October 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
35. ^ "Vote on a shortlist of 3 candidates for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2019". europarl.europa.eu. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
36. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2019: the nominees". europarl.europa.eu. 19 September 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
37. ^ "Sakharov Prize Community Newsletter No. 3" (PDF). European Parliament. 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
38. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2020: MEPs select the finalists". europarl.europa.eu. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
39. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2020: the nominees". europarl.europa.eu. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
40. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2021: introducing the finalists". europarl.europa.eu. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
41. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2021: the nominees". europarl.europa.eu. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
42. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2022: the finalists". europarl.europa.eu. 13 October 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
43. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2022: the nominees". europarl.europa.eu. 26 September 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
44. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2023: the finalists". europarl.europa.eu. 12 October 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
45. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2023: the nominees". europarl.europa.eu. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
46. ^ "2024 Sakharov Prize finalists shortlisted by MEPs". europarl.europa.eu. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
47. ^ "Sakharov Prize 2024: presentation of candidates". europarl.europa.eu. 26 September 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* "Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought". European Parliament. 14 August 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
* "20 years of the Sakharov Prize: rewarding courage, self-sacrifice". European Parliament. 1 December 2008. Retrieved 22 October 2010.

* v
* t
* e

Sakharov Prize recipients

* Mandela / Marchenko (1988)
* Dubček (1989)
* Aung San Suu Kyi (1990)
* Demaçi (1991)
* Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo (1992)
* Oslobođenje (1993)
* Nasrin (1994)
* Zana (1995)
* Wei Jingsheng (1996)
* Ghezali (1997)
* Rugova (1998)
* Gusmão (1999)
* ¡Basta Ya! (2000)
* Peled-Elhanan / Ghazzawi / Kamwenho (2001)
* Payá (2002)
* Annan / United Nations (2003)
* Belarusian Association of Journalists (2004)
* Ladies in White / Reporters Without Borders / Ibrahim (2005)
* Milinkievič (2006)
* Osman (2007)
* Hu Jia (2008)
* Memorial (2009)
* Fariñas (2010)
* Mahfouz / Senussi /  Zaitouneh / Farzat / Bouazizi (2011)
* Sotoudeh / Panahi (2012)
* Yousafzai (2013)
* Mukwege (2014)
* Badawi (2015)
* Murad / Bashar (2016)
* Democratic Opposition in Venezuela: Julio Borges / Leopoldo López / Antonio Ledezma / Daniel Ceballos [es] / Yon Goicoechea / Lorent Saleh / Alfredo Ramos [es] / Andrea González (2017)
* Sentsov (2018)
* Tohti (2019)
* Democratic opposition in Belarus: The Coordination Council / Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya / Svetlana Alexievich / Maria Kalesnikava / Volha Kavalkova / Veronika Tsepkalo / Siarhei Tsikhanouski / Ales Bialiatski / Sergei Dylevsky / Stsiapan Putsila / Mikola Statkevich (2020)
* Navalny (2021)
* Ukrainian people (2022)
* Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement (2023)
* María Corina Machado / Edmundo González (2024)

* v
* t
* e

European Parliament

Organisation|

* Bureau
* Committees and Delegations
* Conference
* MEPs
* President (Roberta Metsola)
* Quaestor
* Rapporteur
* Secretariat
* Vice-Presidents

Politics|

* COSAC (National parliaments)
* Groups
* Parties
* Reform working group

Elections|

* 1979 (session / members)
* 1984 (session / members)
* 1989 (session / members)
* 1994 (session / members)
* 1999 (session / members)
* 2004 (session / members)
* 2009 (session / members)
* 2014 (session / members)
* 2019 (session / members)
* 2024 (session / members)
* Apportionment
* Constituencies

Intergroups|

* Crocodile Club
* Spinelli Group
* Paneuropean Working Group
* Intergroup on long term investment and reindustrialisation

Seats|

* Strasbourg (Buildings)
* Brussels (Buildings
* Esplanade)
* Luxembourg buildings

History|

* Assizes
* Budget controversy
* Buttiglione controversy
* European Convention
* Joint parliamentary meeting

Prizes|

* Charlemagne Youth Prize
* European Citizens' Prize
* Sakharov Prize
* Lux Prize

Simulations|

* European Youth Parliament
* Model European Parliament
* Model European Union Strasbourg

Other|

* EuroparlTV
* State of the Union
* European Parliament Ambassador School programme

* European Union Portal

* v
* t
* e

Orders, decorations, and medals of the European Union

Including its predecessor, the European Economic Community (1958–1993/2009)

General|

| European Parliament|

* Sakharov Prize‎
* European Charlemagne Youth Prize
* See also: Charlemagne Prize
* European Citizens' Prize
* Lux Prize

|

Military|

* European Community Monitor Mission Medal
* European Union Monitoring Mission Medal
* CSDP Medal for Operation Artemis
* CSDP Medal for EUFOR Althea
* CSDP Medal for EU Support to AMIS
* CSDP Medal for European Union AMM
* CSDP Medal for EUFOR RD Congo
* CSDP Medal for EUFOR Tchad/RCA
* CSDP Medal for EUNAVFOR
* Western European Union Mission Service Medal

* European Union portal

Authority control databases: National |

* Germany
* Czech Republic
* Latvia

|

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template