Martin SCHULZ, EP President, awards the 2012 Sakharov Prize to two Iranian activists, lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and film director Jafar Panahi, at a formal sitting of European Parliament during the December plenary session, in Strasbourg.

Strasbourg

plenary session

EU - Iran (T)

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 2012 (T)

respect for human rights in the world (T)

ceremony

SCHULZ, Martin (S&D, DE)

violence against women (T)

SOTOUDEH, Nasrin (IR)

Award of the Sakharov Prize 2012 to Nasrin Sotoudeh, Iranian Human rights lawyer: extracts

Arrival in the Hemicycle in Strasbourg (12/12/2012)

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, Former EP President, The 2012 SAKHAROV Prize is the means by which the European Parliament honors extraordinary efforts undertaken by Mrs. Nasrin SOTOUDEH and by Mr. Jafar PANAHI to defend human dignity, their fundamental rights and political change in Iran.

SOUNDBITE (German), Martin SCHULZ, Former EP President, The situation in Iran is critical. The root of the problems that suffers this proud people lies in the character fanatic about his judicial system and his regime policy. There is no responsibility in this country. Every day people are imprisoned there because of their opinions, be they political activists, filmmakers or artists. We, the representatives of the European people, find this situation unfair. The Iranian regime must know that our institution stands alongside those and of those whom he represses. That's why we honor these two human rights defenders in Iran because they have risen against these institutions and against this system unfair, and that their position coincides with that of the European.

SOUNDBITE (Persian/Farsi), Shirin EBADI, Human rights defender, Nobel Peace price 2003, delivering the message of Mrs. SOTOUDEH: "How much revolutions have shaken the Middle East regimes in recent years? Which of these revolutions of the Arab Spring has turned away from the question of human rights? The central claim of these revolutions, from Libya to Egypt, from Jordan to Arabia Arabia, via Bahrain and Syria - the most disastrous and most tragic of all - focused on freedom of expression, freedom of the press, independence of the judiciary, the release of political prisoners and the end of the assassinations.

SOUNDBITE (English), Martin SCHULZ, Former EP President, Ladies and gentlemen, I will now introduce the certificates to the two vacant seats in front of me. The laureates can not be present here in flesh and blood, but I want to thank madam EBADY and Mr. Costa-Gavras. thanks to you two for your magnificent speeches. We thank you also messages that you have kindly forward on behalf of the winners of the award. You can see the two vacant seats in front of me. I am going now put the certificates on these seats. This is how we Let's hand in the prizes in the absence of the laureates.

External shots of Teheran (2015) - 4 shots