The President of the European Parliament noted that Ukrainians heroically defend not only their land and their people, but also “risk their lives for the sake of Europe.”

The European Parliament chose the laureate of the Sakharov Prize “For Freedom of Thought” in 2022. The winner was “the brave people of Ukraine represented by President Volodymyr Zelensky, elected leaders and civil society.”

This was announced by the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola on October 19, she published a recording of her speech on Twitter .

In a note on his page in Twitter page , Metsola noted that Ukrainians stand up for what they believe in.

“They are fighting for our values. They are defending democracy, freedom and the rule of law. They are risking their lives for us,” she wrote.

Metsola added that she congratulated the courageous people of Ukraine on being awarded the prize, and noted that there was no one more deserving of this prize.

The website of the European Parliament notes that the nomination noted the efforts of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and individuals – representatives of civil society initiatives, state and civil institutions, in particular the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. Paramedic Yulia Paevskaya (Taira), human rights activist Alexandra Matviychuk (Center for Civil Liberties), civil resistance movement “Yellow Ribbon” and Mayor of occupied Melitopol Ivan Fyodorov are remembered in the nomination.

Two from this list – Paevskaya and Fedorov – were captured by Russian invaders.

The award includes a cash prize of €50,000 ($49,100) to be given to civil society representatives. The award ceremony will take place on December 14 in Strasbourg.

https://www.unian.net/player/sRNnO35CThe European Parliament honored the people of Ukraine with the Sakharov Prize

Sakharov Prize – what you should know

As UNIAN reported, the European Parliament has been awarding the prize to them since 1988. Sakharov to individuals and organizations that protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In 2018, the Ukrainian director Oleg Sentsov, illegally convicted in Russia, received this award, in 2020 – representatives of the Belarusian democratic opposition, and in 2021 – Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

In September 2022, the largest political group in the European Parliament, the European People’s Party, proposed to award the courageous Ukrainian people and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky the Sakharov Prize “For Freedom of Thought”.

(C)UNIAN 2022