Sakharov Prize 2011
The Greens/EFA support candidates from the 'Arab Spring' revolution
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was set up in 1988 and is awarded each year by the European Parliament.
The prize is awarded for a particular achievement in one of the following fields:
- defence of human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly the right to free expression;
- safeguarding the rights of minorities;
- respect for international law;
- development of democracy and implementation of the rule of law
This year, the Greens/EFA together with 3 other political groups decided to support several candidates from the 'Arab Spring'.
The Arab Spring is a symbol for all those willing dignity, democracy and fundamental rights in the Arab world. The peaceful demonstrations mobilising all kind of citizens, pro-democracy activists, human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists faced brutal repression from regime security forces in all these countries. The award of the Sakharov Prize to the five nominees - Mohamed Bouazizi, from Tunisia, Asmaa Mahfouz, from Egypt, Ahmed al-Zubair Ahmed al-Sanusi, from Lybia, and Razan Zeitouneh and Ali Farzat, from Syria- who have contributed and still contribute to radical political changes in their respective countries would reaffirm the Parliament's solidarity and firm support for their struggle for freedom, democracy and the end of authoritarian regimes.
