Every year, the European Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to courageous individuals or organisations that stand up for human rights and democratic values. But do you know the man behind the award? From developing the hydrogen bomb to defending political prisoners, meet Andrei Sakharov.

Andrei Sakharov: the man behind the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/2379015/N01-AFPS-210512-SAKP-EN.srt

the Soviet Union's nuclear testing programme

the hydrogen bomb was the Russian physicist

"In 1955, he realised with stark clarity,

after some conversations with the Soviet military,

the most terrifying weapon to the government

without having any control over its use."

He even wrote to the government of the Soviet Union

warning them of the dangers of a nuclear arms race.

"Only when he got no response, he felt he had to publish it,

and the leaders of the Soviet Union hit a new low.

But there were other reasons for this animosity:

human rights advocacy and the defence of political prisoners.

In 1975, he became involved in drafting the Helsinki Accords.

This document aimed at improving relations

between the communist East and the capitalist West.

"What the Soviet leaders didn't anticipate

was that somebody would read the following articles.

And the Article 7 of the Helsinki Accord

called for respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms."

That year, Sakharov was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

and kind of a grand figure of the dissident movement."

By this point, Sakharov had become a thorn in the side

They sent him into exile in the Russian city of Gorki,

and put under a regime which was reminiscent of house arrest,

After his release the dissident turned to national politics,

where he remained active until his death in 1989.

More than a century after Sakharov's birth,

his spirit is still very much alive and relevant today.

"Sakharov is a broader symbol than just the Soviet one.

And his idea that progress, peace, security

and human rights are inextricably linked together

In 1988, the European Parliament created the Sakharov Prize

for Freedom of Thought to honour the Russian dissident's work.

knowing it would encourage human rights defenders.

and historical society Memorial won the award.

"When the person with whom we set up the Memorial organisation,

when his prize is awarded to Memorial - it is very flattering.

An award like the Sakharov Prize clearly shows

the indissolubility of human rights throughout the world."

For over 30 years the European Parliament has rewarded

courageous individuals and organisations,

from political opposition to victims of religious fanaticism.

"It is an indicator for the rest of the world

that everything can be solved peacefully, calmly, with dignity."

"The principle of this award is that this person

and he dedicated his life to human rights."

"This Prize strengthens us, it fills us up with renewed energy

to defend the values and principles of democracy

"We look up to Europe as a symbol of humanity,

and Europe is indeed confirming today that it is such a symbol."

ensures the European Parliament continues to shine a light

on the work of human rights defenders wherever they are.

"The most powerful weapon is not the bomb, it's the truth."