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 usually announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in November/December at plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

Sakharov Prize 2017

EP Plenary session - Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2023 Laureate

AFET DEVE DROI - Announcement of the Sakharov Prize for the Freedom of Thought 2023 Candidates - Statements

AFET DEVE DROI joint Committee - Sakharov Prize 2023: Presentation of candidates

Full-size replica of Sakharov Prize laureate Alexey Navalny’s prison cell

Oleg SENTSOV sits behind glass in a cage at a court room in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Tuesday, July  21, 2015. A Ukrainian filmmaker who has been in jail for over a year now has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit terrorism. 39-year old Sentsov was arrested in Crimea's capital in May 2014 after a pro-Ukrainian rally protesting Russians annexation of Crimea in March that year.

SAKHAROV Prize 2018 Finalists

2017 Sakharov Prize Award -  Press conference

2017 Sakharov Prize Award - Ceremony

Antonio TAJANI - EP President meets with the laureates of the Sakharov Prize 2017

The brave People of Ukraine, represented by their president, elected leaders and civil society have been awarded the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. MEPs honoured Ukrainians for their commitment to fighting for rights and freedoms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Parliament by video link, as MEPs repeated their call for an international tribunal to investigate Russian war crimes.

2022 Sakharov Prize awarded to the brave People of Ukraine

Parliament will award the 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the brave People of Ukraine for their fight for freedom and democracy. 
 
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address MEPs via video link and members of Ukraine’s State Emergency Services, civil society as well as elected leaders will receive the award at the ceremony in Strasbourg in the name of the People of Ukraine. 
 
MEPs will vote on proposals to speed up issuing renewable energy project permits and reducing the energy consumption of buildings. Both steps will help the green transition and boost energy independence. 
 
Parliament is also expected to call for more robust rules to support people with disabilities. All that and more, coming up in Parliament.

Sakharov Prize, green energy permits, disabilities – coming up in Parliament

The European Parliament awarded the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the brave people of Ukraine, represented by President Zelenskyy, Ukrainian elected leaders and civil society. 
  
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, millions of people have been displaced, tens of thousands killed or injured.
 
Yet despite the brutality of the occupying forces and the unimaginable human suffering, the people of Ukraine have refused to bow. 
  
By awarding them with the Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament reiterates its solidarity with the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom and independence.

Sakharov Prize 2022: The brave people of Ukraine

MEPs are set to call for bolder steps to mitigate the social and economic impact of the war in Ukraine.    
   
Parliament will set its position on cleaner fuels for the shipping industry and new infrastructure for alternative fuels for road transport. It will also lay out priorities for the 2023 EU budget.    
   
Plus, the winner of the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought will be announced. All that and more, coming up in Strasbourg.

War, fuels, EU budget, Sakharov winner – coming up in Strasbourg

The European Parliament will have a busy agenda when MEPs return in September. They will be looking to ensure the green transition and boost EU energy autonomy in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In addition, Parliament wants to see citizens’ proposals from the Conference on the Future of Europe delivered upon. MEPs are set to quiz the European Commission president during the State of the Union debate and will honour human rights advocates with the Sakharov Prize in December.

What’s in store for the 2nd half of 2022?

Sara Bahai was hailed as a feminist hero when, against all odds, she became the first woman taxi driver in Afghanistan, defying the country’s strict gender norms. She was forced to flee the country when the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and is now safely settled in Portugal. She talked about her fight, ahead of a high-level conference at the European Parliament on this issue.

Afghanistan’s first woman taxi driver seeks refuge in Europe

Parliament has awarded the 2021 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to jailed Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny. Meanwhile, MEPs voted on ways to achieve gender equality and discussed growing tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border.

Plenary highlights: Navalny, gender equality, Ukraine and more

Alexei Navalny, a leading Russian opposition figure has been awarded the 2021 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. His daughter collected the prize in the absence of the jailed laureate. For years, Navalny has been calling for democracy and an end to corruption in his home country. The European Parliament honours his fight.

Sakharov Prize

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2022 Sakharov Prize awarded to the brave People of Ukraine

Sakharov Prize, green energy permits, disabilities – coming up in Parliament

Sakharov Prize 2022: The brave people of Ukraine

War, fuels, EU budget, Sakharov winner – coming up in Strasbourg

What’s in store for the 2nd half of 2022?

Afghanistan’s first woman taxi driver seeks refuge in Europe

Plenary highlights: Navalny, gender equality, Ukraine and more

Parliament awards Alexei Navalny the 2021 Sakharov Prize

Photos

EP Plenary session - Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2023 Laureate

EP Plenary session - Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2023 Laureate

EP Plenary session - Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2023 Laureate

EP Plenary session - Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2023 Laureate

EP Plenary session - Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2023 Laureate

EP Plenary session - Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2023 Laureate

EP Plenary session - Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2023 Laureate

EP Plenary session - Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2023 Laureate

Photosets

EP Plenary session - Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2023 Laureate

AFET DEVE DROI - Announcement of the Sakharov Prize for the Freedom of Thought 2023 Candidates - Statements

AFET DEVE DROI joint Committee - Sakharov Prize 2023: Presentation of candidates

Full-size replica of Sakharov Prize laureate Alexey Navalny’s prison cell

SAKHAROV Prize 2018 Finalists

2017 Sakharov Prize Award - Press conference

2017 Sakharov Prize Award - Ceremony

Antonio TAJANI - EP President meets with the laureates of the Sakharov Prize 2017

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Sakharov Prize 2017

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