MEPs have shortlisted WikiLeaks activist Julian Assange, the Ukrainian people and their representatives and the Colombian Truth Commission for the 2022 Sakharov Prize. EPs on the Development and Foreign Affairs Committees and the Human Rights Subcommittee vote to select three finalists for this year's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), AFET Chair, Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), DEVE Chair and Maria ARENA (S&D, BE), DROI Chair comment the results of the vote.

Committee on Foreign Affairs

statement

Subcommittee on Human Rights

McALLISTER, David (EPP, DE)

Committee on Development

ARENA, Maria (S&D, BE)

TOBÉ, Tomas (EPP, SE)

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 2022 (T)

Announcement of the 3 finalists for Sakharov Prize 2022: Statements by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), AFET Chair, Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), DEVE Chair and Maria ARENA (S&D, BE), DROI Chair

SOUNDBITE (French), Maria ARENA (S&amp;D, BE), Today, within the framework of the AFET, Foreign Affairs, DEVE and the DROI subcommittee, we had the opportunity to vote for a list of three winners for the Sakharov Prize. The final decision will of course be up to the Conference of Presidents to actually award this Sakharov Prize. But as you know, it is always difficult to choose one of the candidates because each of these candidates is there, because they defend the cause of justice, freedom and especially in extremely complicated situations. And so today, we can say that on this shortlist, of course, the three that were selected and I will leave it to my colleagues to actually announce this shortlist. But it is always an extremely important moment here, in the European Parliament, because we have the opportunity to recognize the work that either these organizations, or that these individuals have done for human rights.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&#201; (EPP, SE), The first nominee is Julian Assange, one of the activists behind the WikiLeaks Association. He was responsible for providing world leading newspapers with documents proving war crimes, arbitrary detentions, human rights violations and cases of torture. He was nominated by Sabrina Pignatelli and 40 other members.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&#201; (EPP, SE), The second nominee, the brave people of Ukraine represented by their president, elected leaders and civil society who bravely stood up to Russia's unprovoked and unlawful war of aggression. Over the past six months, we have seen the heroism and unity of Ukrainians against their oppressors. Rescuing and caring for the wounded. Evacuating civilians from the hotspots. Providing food and shelter to those in need of desperate need, recording war crimes, and providing support to the victims. These are examples of their hardships and the devastating challenges that Ukrainians face every day. The brave people of Ukraine was nominated byEPP, S&amp;D and Renew groups.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tomas TOB&#201; (EPP, SE), The third nominee is the Truth Commission in Colombia, which is one of the three institutions that make up the Colombian comprehensive system of truth, justice, reparation and wrong, not reputation created under the 2016 peace agreement. It was advocated for the rights of millions of victims of the Colombian civil war. These candidates pays tribute to the victims whose courage and persistence with the basis for the commission's creation. It is also an opportunity to support the peace process in Colombia and to highlight the access to truth, justice and reparation for victims as a necessary first step in peacebuilding. The Truth Commission was nominated by the Left Group.

SOUNDBITE (English), David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Every year, the European Parliament considers a range of really excellent nominations for the Sakharov Prise. All of the personalities who risk their lives and liberty and defending fundamental rights. And more than ever, we face the reality. We are standing up for human rights, fundamental freedoms and democratic values is of vital importance. It is therefore key to stress that Parliament stands with all those around the world who dedicate their lives to defending these universal values in spite of tremendous risks and challenges they face.

SOUNDBITE (English), David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Following the shortlist established by our committees today, the President of the European Parliament, of the leaders of a political groups will choose laureate to the Sakharov Prise for 2022 next week on the 19th of October. The laureate will then be invited to an exchange of views at a joint meeting of the Committee on Development. The Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Human Rights in Strasbourg to be held on the 12th of December, with the award ceremony scheduled on the 14th of December in the plenary of the European Parliament, again in Strasbourg.

SOUNDBITE (French), Maria ARENA (S&amp;D, BE), For the European Parliament, we are linked with the people we recognise as being Sakharov prize-winners. That means we need to continue to protect them. These people are often people who are also vulnerable throughout their fight. So we need to continue to protect them. But it is also a commitment on their part to continue to respect these values throughout their journey. So it is a form of contract between Europe and partners such as these people who are recognized as such.

Ambiance shots before the opening of the vote