During the EP plenary session (11-15 December 2017) in Strasbourg, the Sakharov Prize 2017 is awarded to the Democratic Opposition in Venezuela. Statements by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Julio BORGES, President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, and Antonio LEDEZMA, Former Mayor of Caracas.

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT)

Strasbourg

plenary session

ceremony

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 2017 (T)

Democratic Opposition in Venezuela (VE)

30 years of Sakharov Prize (T)

Sakharov Prize 2017: extracts from the award ceremony

Arrival of EP President Antonio TAJANI together with laureates Julio BORGES and Antonio LEDEZMA. Applause. Shot of the diplomatic gallery, where 2017 Sakharov Prize finalist Aura Lolita Chavez Ixcaquic and Betlehem Isaak, the daughter of Sakharov Prize finalist Dawit Isaak, are seated.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, This year the Sakharov Prize has been awarded to the Democratic a position in Venezuela, in particular thecountry's national assembly (represented by Julio Borges) and all political prisoners as listed by Foro Penal Venezolano (represented by Leopoldo L&oacute;pez, Antonio Ledezma, Daniel Ceballos, Yon Goicoechea, Lorent Saleh, Alfredo Ramos and Andrea Gonz&aacute;lez).But the price is for all Venezuelans in the world above and beyond the Democratic opposition in Venezuela. Applause.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Antonio TAJANI, EP President, The European Parliament is prepared to help with an electoral observation mission, together with other international players. This is our wish and we hope that the Sakharov price will contribute to it.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Julio BORGES, President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, The European Parliament is today recognizing to brave and the fatigable struggle of the people in opposition of Venezuela, by granting the Sakharov Prize to the opposition, which is democratically represented in the national assembly, which it is my honour to preside over, and to all the political prisoners in my country.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Julio BORGES, President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, This distinction will get through the bars in the dungeons in which around 350 young Venezuelans are improperly being held. They are being acknowledged in their struggle here today, they are with us here today. Applause.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Julio BORGES, President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, A freely expressed vote is a declaration of independence, that&rsquo;s why we must rescue this situation. In the months to come there have to be be presidential elections in Venezuela and we call upon Europe and the free world to devote the full attention to this poll.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Julio BORGES, President of the National Assembly of Venezuela, On behalf of the Venezuelan people thank you very much to all of you. Applause.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Antonio LEDEZMA, Former Mayor of Caracas, In words of Leopoldo (L&oacute;pez): &lsquo;For those who live in healthy democracy, freedom is often an abstract term, but for those who lack freedom, it is as vital as the air we breathe, may Europe stay firm in its commitment to try and ensure the freedom of the 300 political prisoners and the 30 million Venezuelans who do not breathe the air of freedom.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Antonio LEDEZMA, Former Mayor of Caracas, This Prize strengthens us, it fills us up with renewed energy to defend the values and principles of democracy which you too share. We want to have a world where people do not suffer from oppression and dictatorship anymore, where there is no torture. Never again do we want to have such divisions, we want to open a path to peace and concord and I am finishing with the words of Master Gallegos, because we are more than ever convinced that:&ldquo;tanto m&aacute;s se pertenece uno a s&iacute; mismo cuanto m&aacute;s tenga su voluntad, su vida toda, puesta al servicio de un ideal colectivo&rdquo; Long live Venezuela, long live democracy, long live freedom in the world. Applause.

EP President Antonio TAJANI awards the Sakharov Prize 2017 to the representatives of the Democratic Opposition in Venezuela (18 shots).