Sakharov Prize 2022: The European Parliament paid tribute to the Ukrainian people
The European Parliament awarded the Ukrainian people with the Prize for Freedom of Thought. The award was given to brave citizens of Ukraine to honour their fight against the Russian invasion.
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the most important recognition granted by the European Union in the field of human rights. In the amount of 50,000 euros, the prize will be offered to representatives of Ukrainian civil society.
During the official plenary session, held in Strasbourg, the head of the European Legislature, Roberta Metsola, spoke about the courage and sacrifice of Ukrainians.
"The people of Ukraine are not only fighting a war of independence, but a war of values. Values on which our existence in the European Union is based and which we, for a long time, had the privilege to consider as ours, every day. The award is for all Ukrainians who have lost relatives and friends. For all those citizens who stand up and fight for what they believe in. Glory to Ukraine!", said the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.
At the ceremony in Strasbourg, the Ukrainian people were represented by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the founder of a volunteer ambulance corps called Taira's Angels, Iulia Pajevska, human rights lawyer Oleksandra Matviychuk and the exiled mayor of the occupied city of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov.
Speaking via video conference, the Kyiv leader called for support for an international tribunal to try crimes committed by the Russian Federation.
Last year, the prize was awarded to the imprisoned critic of the Kremlin, Alexei Navalny. The prize is awarded annually, since 1988, to individuals and organizations that defend human rights and fundamental freedoms.
