The Sakharov Prize awarded to human rights defenders allows the EP to throw unwanted light on violations and injustices worldwide. But is it a beam of hope in dark times or a 50,000 euro sparkler?

Reporter: A prize for risking your life

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/14954076/M003-0001-EN.srt

The Sakharov Prize for human rights and   freedom of expression exists since 1988.

The prize supports those speaking out   against injustice often risking their lives.

For the International Federation of   Journalists vigilance is critical

as is offering a helping hand   to human rights defenders.

The Sakharov Prize enables a continued   focus on the need to protect rights

particularly when we live in   very testing and dark times.

Since 1988 the prize has rewarded   opponents of undemocratic regimes,

NGOs and politicians for   the extraordinary nature of their actions.

Xanana Gusmão, Ibrahim Rugova and   Kofi Annan have marked its history.

The award commemorates   Nobel Prize winner Andrei Sakharov,

He died in 1989 and spent his life fighting   for human rights and civil liberties.

In 2008 Hu Jia, an activist and dissident   from China won the prize.

The 2008 Strasbourg ceremony   was held in his absence.

The EP also awarded   a prize to Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi,

leader of the   National League for Democracy

who is imprisoned   by the military junta in power.

Silenced since 1990 the EP heard her   appeal in favour of democracy.

2006's winner Aliaksandr Milinkevich   has spent a life

fighting to turn Belarus   into a democracy.

So much unknown tragedy and suffering.   So many lives devoted to freedom.

From South Africa to China via Latin   America, politics and the media unite.

Is the prize merely   a bright illumination in a dark night?

MEPs are due to analyse human rights   over the past few years.

True, the Prize comes   with 50,000 euros,

but Aung San Suu Kyi   and Hu Jia are still imprisoned.

Has the prize really changed   these winners' lives in their countries?