The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Each nominee must have the support of at least 40 MEPs, and each individual Member may support only one nominee. Signed nominations accompanied by supporting evidence are then assessed in a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). A shortlist of three candidates is drawn up through a vote by AFET and DEVE committees, and then submitted to the Conference of Presidents for a final vote. The winner is announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in December at the plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

The nominations for the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought are:

The democratic opposition in Belarus, represented by the Coordination Council, initiative of brave women and political and civil society figures, nominated by EPP, S&amp;D, Renew Europe 
Mgr Najeeb Moussa Michaeel, Archbishop of Mosul, Iraq nominated by ID 
Guapinol activists and Berta Caceres in Honduras, nominated by Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL 
The democratic opposition in Belarus, represented by Sviatlana Tsikhanouska, nominated by ECR 
Polish LGBTI activists Jakub Gawron, Paulina Pajak, Paweł Preneta and Kamil Maczuga, founders of the website Atlas of Hate, nominated by Malin Björk, Terry Reintke, Marc Angel, Rasmus Andresen and 39 other MEPs.

The democratic opposition in Belarus has been awarded the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Democratic Opposition in Belarus, Sakharov Prize 2020

David McAllister (EPP, DE) will continue as the Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee for the coming two and a half years. He was re-elected by acclamation on Wednesday, 10 July. During its constituent meeting, the Committee also elected Witold Waszczykowski (ECR, PL) as the Committee’s First Vice-Chair. The remaining three Vice-Chairs will be elected at a future meeting. Together, the Chair and Vice-Chairs will form the Bureau of the Committee.

AFET - Committee on Foreign Affairs

Jan Zahradil (ODS, Czech Republic) was designated as the lead candidate for the Reformists Alliance of Europe (ACRE) on 14 November 2018.

Jan ZAHRADIL, 55, is member of the European Parliament (ECR group) since 2004 and serves as the President of ACRE. Before 2004, he was a member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic. Mr Zahradil is a researcher by profession, holding an engineering degree from the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague.

#EUelections2019 - Jan ZAHRADIL, lead candidate for the ACRE

The Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR) was set up in July 2017 and started its work in September 2017 to evaluate how to better fight terrorism. The two co-rapporteurs Ms Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE) and Ms Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE) together with the other TERR Members presented a final report to address the practical and legislative deficiencies in the fight against terrorism. Their recommendations show a way to overcome these deficiencies and to improve the fight against terrorism in the European Union. Meanwhile, the DALTON report asks Internet companies to remove terrorist content within one hour after receiving an order from the authorities to combat radicalisation and contribute to public security.

#EUelections2019 - Fight against terrorism

EP Plenary- Voting session

Press conference by Sophie IN ’T VELD, Fabienne KELLER, Matjaž NEMEC and Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA rapporteurs on Migration Pact files (First part)
Press conference by Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE) and Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SE) rapporteurs on Migration Pact files (Second part)

Press conference on Asylum and migration pact files

New EU rules to reduce emissions from passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers is debated and voted by MEPs.

The regulation governing the type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles (Euro 7), provisionally agreed with the Council in December 2023, aims to support the EU’s transition towards clean mobility and improve air quality.

For passenger cars and vans, the current Euro 6 exhaust emissions limits and test conditions will be maintained, while stricter limits would be applied for buses and trucks. The Euro 7 standards also tackle non-exhaust emissions (microplastics from tyres and particles from brakes) and include requirements concerning battery durability.

Plenary Debate - Euro 7

MEPs debate with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde inflation, efforts to curb it, and possible interest rate cuts. During the annual plenary debate, MEPs concentrate on what happens next once inflation settles at the ECB’s 2% target and pay particular attention to the continuing significant divergences in inflation rates between member states. This is the last debate in the European Parliament for Ms Lagarde before the 6-9 June  European elections.

Plenary debate - European Central Bank: annual report 2023

Ansis PUPOLS official portrait - 9th Parliamentary term

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act)

EP Plenary session - Pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - Advance passenger information

EP Plenary session - The anti-LGBTIQ bill passed by the Ghanaian parliament with implications for human rights, freedom of expression and democratic principles

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144)

Interinstitutional Body for Ethical Standards (debate)

Pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews (debate)

Framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act) (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Statements by the President

Voting time

Plenary session

Proposals for Union acts

Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response (debate)

Formal sitting – 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

The attack on climate and nature: far right and conservative attempts to destroy the Green Deal and prevent investment in our future (topical debate)

Amending Directive 2013/36/EU as regards supervisory powers, sanctions, third-country branches, and environmental, social and governance risks - Amending Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 as regards requirements for credit risk, credit valuation adjustment risk, operational risk, market risk and the output floor (joint debate - Banking Union)

The sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive - Anti-Money Laundering Regulation - Establishing the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (joint debate - Anti-money laundering)

The European Parliament's right of inquiry (debate)

Voting time (continuation)

La Hulpe declaration on the future of social Europe (debate)

Forging a sustainable future together: economic, social and territorial challenges for a competitive, cohesive and inclusive Europe (debate)

Recent attempts to deny dictatorships and the risk of Europe returning to totalitarianism (debate)

Azerbaijan, notably the repression of civil society and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz Guliyev

The proposed repeal of the law banning female genital mutilation in The Gambia

The new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John

The anti-LGBTIQ bill passed by the Ghanaian parliament with implications for human rights, freedom of expression and democratic principles (debate)

Advance passenger information: enhancing and facilitating external border controls - Advance passenger information: prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime (joint debate - Advance passenger information)

Explanations of vote

Agenda of the next sitting

20240424-0900-PLENARY

Closure of the sitting

Opening of the sitting

Conclusions of the recent European Council meetings, in particular on a new European Competitiveness deal and the EU strategic agenda 2024-2029 (debate)

Effective coordination of economic policies and multilateral budgetary surveillance - Speeding up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure – amending Regulation - Requirements for budgetary frameworks of the Member States – amending Directive

Combating violence against women and domestic violence (debate)

European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities - European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities for third country nationals legally residing in a Member State (joint debate - Disability cards)

EU’s response to the repeated killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists and civilians by the Israel Defence Forces in the Gaza Strip (debate)

The use of Russian frozen assets to support Ukraine’s victory and reconstruction (debate)

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6)) (action taken)

Corrigenda (Rule 241)(action taken)

Attempts to reintroduce a foreign agent law in Georgia and its restrictions on civil society (debate)

Situation in Haiti (debate)

Withdrawal of the Union from the Energy Charter Treaty (debate)

EU-Egypt strategic and comprehensive partnership and agreements with key third countries (debate)

Production and marketing of plant reproductive material - Production and marketing of forest reproductive material (joint debate - Plant and forest reproductive material)

Establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans (debate)

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Resumption of the session

Approval of the minutes of the previous sittings

20240422-0900-PLENARY

Composition of political groups

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71) (action taken)

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6))

Signing of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 79)

Order of business

Preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution (debate)

Common rules promoting the repair of goods (debate)

Prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market (debate)

Amending Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims (debate)

Internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen (recast) - Common rules for the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen (recast) - Union’s electricity market design: Regulation - Union’s electricity market design: Directive (joint debate – Reform of the energy and electricity markets)

Attempts to dismantle Rule of Law and media freedom in Slovakia (debate)

20240411-0900-PLENARY

Approval of the minutes of the part-session and forwarding of texts adopted

Dates of forthcoming sittings

Composition of Parliament

Verification of credentials

20240410-0900-PLENARY

Composition of committees and delegations

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71)

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6))(action taken)

Announcement by the President (deadline for tabling questions for written answer (Rule 138))

Russia's undemocratic presidential elections and their illegitimate extension to the occupied territories (debate)

New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union (debate)

Chinese police activity in Europe (debate)

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary to strengthen Rule of Law and its budgetary implications (debate)

Discharge 2022 (debate)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Inclusion of the right to abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (debate)

Promised revision of the EU animal welfare legislation and the animal welfare-related European citizens’ initiatives (debate)

Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia (debate)

Deterioration of living conditions in the EU (debate)

Request for waiver of immunity

Proposal for a Union act: see Minutes

Healthy lifestyle and active ageing in the EU (debate)

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted

Welcome

Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia (debate)

Creation of a European initiative for an annual designation of European capitals for children (debate)

This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo (debate)

20240313-0900-PLENARY

Guidelines for the 2025 Budget - Section III (debate)

Type-approval of motor vehicles and engines with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7) (debate)

Financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast) (debate)

Cohesion policy 2014-2020 – implementation and outcomes in the Member States (debate)

The immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries

The repressive environment in Afghanistan, including public executions and violence against women

The case of Rocío San Miguel and General Hernández Da Costa, among other political prisoners in Venezuela

Rising anti-LGBTIQ rhetoric and violence: recent attacks in Thessaloniki (debate)

The time the European Commission takes to deal with requests for public access to documents (debate)

Opening of the session

Council and Commission statements - Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21 and 22 March 2024 (debate)

Council decision inviting Member States to ratify the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) of the International Labour Organization (debate)

20240312-0900-PLENARY

European Media Freedom Act (debate)

Artificial Intelligence Act (debate)

Question Time (Commission) - Preparedness of EU governments to combat foreign interference, including from Russia

EU climate risk assessment, taking urgent action to improve security and resilience in Europe (debate)

A single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State (recast) (debate)

State of play of the corporate sustainability due diligence directive (debate)

The adoption of the Special Measure in favour of Tunisia for 2023 (debate)

Need to impose sanctions on the import of Russian and Belarusian food and agricultural products to the EU and to ensure stability of EU agricultural production (debate)

European cross-border associations (debate)

Compulsory licensing for crisis management and amending Regulation (EC) 816/2006 (debate)

Follow-up to a request for the defence of immunity

Calendar of part-sessions of the Parliament - 2025

Horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 (debate)

Substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive) (debate)

Energy performance of buildings (recast) (debate)

Definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive measures (debate)

Liability for defective products (short presentation)

Amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 as regards the digital labelling of EU fertilising products (short presentation)

European Maritime Safety Agency and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 (short presentation)

Amending the Directive on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes (short presentation)

20240311-0900-PLENARY

EU/Chile Advanced Framework Agreement - EU/Chile Advanced Framework Agreement (Resolution) - Interim Agreement on Trade between the European Union and the Republic of Chile (joint debate - EU-Chile agreements)

Next steps towards greater patient safety by swiftly ensuring the availability of medical devices through a targeted transitional period (debate)

Commission recommendation on secure and resilient submarine cables (debate)

Major interpellations (debate)

Adjournment of the session

Announcement by the President


Strengthening European Defence in a volatile geopolitical landscape - Implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2023 - Implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2023

Address by Yulia Navalnaya

The murder of Alexei Navalny and the need for EU action in support of political prisoners and oppressed civil society in Russia (debate)

Regaining our competitive edge - a prosperous EU in a fragmented global economy (topical debate)

Financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2023 (debate)

Report on the Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law report (debate)

Preventing work-related deaths following the Florence tragedy (debate)

Deepening EU integration in view of future enlargement (debate)

Data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services (debate)

Need for an urgent Council decision in favour of amending the protection status of wolves in the Bern Convention (debate)

Improving the Union’s protection against market manipulation on the wholesale energy market (debate)

European Digital Identity framework (debate)

The extradition and prosecution of Julian Assange and implications on freedom of the press  (debate)

20240227-0900-PLENARY

Driving licences (debate)

Geographical Indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products (debate)

War in the Gaza Strip and the need to reach a ceasefire, including recent developments in the region (debate)

Corrigendum (Rule 241)(action taken)

Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2023 (debate)

Closer ties between the EU and Armenia and the need for a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia (debate)

Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the EEAS on the situation in Syria (debate)

Critical situation in Cuba (debate)

The current situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (debate)

Rising inequalities in the world (debate)

Recent revelations of spying on Members of the European Parliament and the lack of follow up on the PEGA committee recommendations (debate)

Corrigendum (Rule 241)

European Central Bank – annual report 2023 (debate)

Transparency and targeting of political advertising (debate)

Need to overcome the Council deadlock on the platform workers directive (debate)

Tackling the inflation in food prices and its social consequences and root causes (debate)

Detergents and surfactants (debate)

Amending Decision (EU) 2017/1324: continuation of the Union’s participation in PRIMA under Horizon Europe (short presentation)

Protection of the environment through criminal law (short presentation)

20240226-0900-PLENARY

Multilateral negotiations in view of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, 26-29 February 2024 (debate)

Working conditions of teachers in the EU (debate)

Association agreements for the participation of third countries in Union programmes (debate)

The case of Dentsu tracking and the lack of transparency of the European Commission with regard to the tobacco industry (debate)

20240207-0900-PLENARY

Empowering farmers and rural communities - a dialogue towards sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture (debate)

This is Europe - Debate with the President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis (debate)

The fight against hate speech and disinformation: responsibility of social platforms within the Digital Services Act (topical debate)

Need to fight the increase of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred (debate)

Automated data exchange for police cooperation (“Prüm II”) (debate)

The EU priorities for the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (debate)

Implementation report on the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 (debate)

Implementation report on the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 (debate) (continuation of debate)

New wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members

Increased number of executions in Iran, in particular the case of Mohammad Ghobadlou

Recent attacks on Christmas Eve in Plateau State in Nigeria

Commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Abbé Pierre's appeal on addressing homelessness in the context of persisting poverty and social exclusion (debate)

Conclusions of the European Council meetings, in particular the special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024 (debate)

26,377 results

Ansis PUPOLS official portrait - 9th Parliamentary term

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act)

EP Plenary session - Framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act)

EP Plenary session - Pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - Advance passenger information

EP Plenary session - The anti-LGBTIQ bill passed by the Ghanaian parliament with implications for human rights, freedom of expression and democratic principles

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - Advance passenger information

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - Advance passenger information

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - Advance passenger information

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - Advance passenger information

EP Plenary session - The anti-LGBTIQ bill passed by the Ghanaian parliament with implications for human rights, freedom of expression and democratic principles

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144)

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144)

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144)

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144)