The Conference of Presidents meet in Strasbourg. The winner of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of thought is decided by Parliament’s President and political group leaders. Awarded for the first time in 1988, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work. It gives recognition to individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to protecting freedom of thought. 2021 Sakharov Prize:Alexei Navalny, nominated for his courage in fighting for freedom, democracy and human rights, is a Russian opposition politician, anti-corruption activist and major political opponent of the country's president Vladimir Putin.

EP conference of presidents

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 2021 (T)

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents on the decision on laureate of the 2021 Sakharov Prize : arrivals, roundtable and announcement of the result in the Plenary session

Ambiance shots in the meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents, arrival of Presidents of political  groups, Strasbourg, France, 20/10/2021, (10 shots)

Opening EP Conference with EP President, David SASSOLI in remote

SOUNDBITE (English), Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), Vice president, Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, it's a particular honour for me to announce the decision of the Conference of Presidents of today to award the Sakharov Prize in 2021 to Alexei Navalny, Russian anti-corruption activist and an advocate for change. Alexei Navalny has showed great courage in his attempts to restore the freedom of choice to the Russian people for many years. He has fought for human rights and fundamental freedoms has seen his country. This has cost him his freedom and nearly his life. On behalf of the European Parliament, I call for his immediate and unconditional release. All harassment, intimidation and attacks against the opposition civil society and media by the Russian authorities must stop now.

SOUNDBITE (English), Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, FI), Vice President, Today, the parliament has also honoured a group of Afghan women by committing to an organisation of a full week of activities to raise attention to their situation. We are talking about a group of women such as Shaharzad Akbar, Mary Akrami, Zarifa Ghafar, Palwasha Hassan Freshta Karim,Sahraa Karimi, Metra Mehran, Horia Mosadiq , Sima Samar , Habiba Sarabi and Anisa Shaheed . They all have fiercely fought for equality and human rights, and the European Parliament wants to honour these women's bravery as they are amongst the first to suffer violations of their most basic rights and feed freedoms after the Taliban seised control of their country. So colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, today is testament to the commitment of this house to the people of Russia and Afghanistan who yearn for a life without fear. We are with you. Together, we will see that freedom will prevail. That democracy will prevail

Applause, Strasbourg, France, 20/10/2021, (3 shots)

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents on the decision on laureate of the 2021 Sakharov Prize : arrivals, roundtable and announcement of the result in the Plenary session

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