Sakharov Prize
Green nominee Can Dündar on shortlist
The European Parliament’s foreign affairs and development committees have today decided on the shortlist for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
The three shortlisted candidates are: Iraqi women's rights campaigner, Nadia Murad; representative of the Crimean Tatar, Mustafa Dzemilev; former chief editor of the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, Can Dündar. Dündar was nominated by the Greens/EFA Group.
Commenting on the shortlist, Greens/EFA MEP and Vice-Chair of the Human Rights committee Barbara Lochbihler said:
“This is a commendable and inspiring shortlist and all three candidates are worthy of recognition and support. The nomination of Can Dündar is both a testament to his contributions as former chief editor of the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet and a sign of the importance placed by the European Parliament upon freedom of expression in Turkey, and across the world.
“Freedom of the press is essential for democracy and Can Dündar has worked tirelessly in its defense. Beyond recognizing his own exceptional contributions, his nomination sends a clear message to the Turkish government that they must restore press freedoms and freedom of expression. All journalists who are in prison for false accusations must be released."
