On the 14th December 2022, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of thought is awarded to the "brave people of Ukraine". A ceremony takes place in the European Parliament, in Strasbourg. Ambiance shots prior to the ceremony. Introductory statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

troubles in Ukraine (T)

ceremony

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

president's agenda

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

Ukraine's application for EU membership (T)

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 2022 (T)

consequences of the war in Ukraine (T)

Award of the Sakharov Prize 2022: ambiance shots prior to the ceremony Introductory statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Dear Laureates of the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Dear Ambassador Chentsov and Ambassador Tarasyuk. Dear Oleksandra, Yuliia, Ivan, Oleksandr, Stanislav and Yaroslav representing the brave people of Ukraine. Dear 2022 Sakharov Prize Finalists. Dear colleagues, it is my privilege to welcome you all to the European Parliament for the 2022 Sakharov Prize Awards Ceremony.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Since 1988, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has paid tribute to people and organisations that fight in the name of freedom around the world. A fight that is synonymous with the legacy of scientists and Russian dissident Andrei Sakharov, of whom this prize bears named to.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, Andrei Sakharov firmly believed in a world of open, free and democratic societies. The same belief that underpins our way of European life. It was under Andrei Sakharov himself that once said: A country which does not respect the rights of its own citizens will not respect the rights of its neighbours.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, This is a message that remains as relevant as ever. That is why in 2020, this European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize to the Belarussian democratic opposition represented by the leader of the Belarussian democratic movement Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and political activist Veranika Tsapkala. To this day, Belarus holds the appalling record of having the highest number of Sakharov Prize laureates in prison.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, This is also why in 2021, the European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize to Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny for his fight against the Kremlin's abuse. And here again, I take the opportunity to call for his immediate and unconditional release. Our message is that we will not forget them. We will not forget any of our Sakharov Prize laureates who are still paying the price for freedom.

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, This year, we meet to honour our 2022 Sakharov Prize laureates. The brave people of Ukraine represent it by their president, elected leaders and civil society. Ukrainians who have already fought hard and sacrificed so much for their freedom and our values. And so was an introduction to this award ceremony. I invite you all to watch a short video on the Laureates of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.