Launch of the Book of Sakharov Laureates&nbsp;during the EP plenary session in Strasbourg. Opening speech by Martin SCHULZ, EP President

Strasbourg

plenary session

speech

LUNACEK, Ulrike (Greens/EFA, AT)

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

Sakharov Prize

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 2015 (T)

PLANTU (FR)

Launch of the Book of Sakharov Laureates: opening speech by Martin SCHULZ, EP President

Exterior shot of the European Parliament in Strasbourg

Atmosphere before the start of the book launch, (1 shot) (Cartoonists Vadot (Belgium), Cristina Sampaio (Portugal), Joep Bertrams (Netherlands), Steve Bell (United Kingdom) and Miriam Wurster (Germany) are present), presentation by Vladimir Vasak, ARTE&rsquo; journalist

SOUNDBITE (French), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, It's very important for to welcome you today and to pay tribute, through Cartooning For Peace to to those all around the world who courageously defend freedom of thought in its most creative and satiric expression.

SOUNDBITE (French), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, Political satire and self mockery are a part of public debate and reveal the good health of a democracy. It has taken the attacks in Paris early this year to remind us how deeply we cherish the freedom to say, write, create and draw without requesting authorization.

SOUNDBITE (French), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, Our 2011 Sakharov Prize laureate Ali FARZAT has paid the price and, unfortunately, he can't be here because of a family problem but we are with him today. Arrested, tortured, exiled, he continues to resist and call to mind about the daily tragedy of his Syrian compatriots, armed solely with his crayons.  

SOUNDBITE (French), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, The combat of these 27 emblematic personalities reminds us that fundamental freedoms are universal, indivisible rights, which many societies in the world are lacking.

SOUNDBITE (French), Martin SCHULZ, EP President, To all those laureates that are in prison, under control, threatened by torture, I tell them that they are not alone and that we will continue to carry their fight and to call for their immediate, unconditional liberation.

Cartoonist Plantu draws a caricature of Martin SCHULZ (3 shots)

Family photo, with Martin SCHULZ, Ensaf BADAWI, wife of Saudi blogger and Sakharov Prize laureate Raif BADAWI, and Cartoonists for Peace (2 shots)