The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Each nominee must have the support of at least 40 MEPs, and each individual Member may support only one nominee. Signed nominations accompanied by supporting evidence are then assessed in a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). A shortlist of three candidates is drawn up through a vote by AFET and DEVE committees, and then submitted to the Conference of Presidents for a final vote. The winner is announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in December at plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

Ilham Tohti, an Uyghur economist fighting for the rights of China’s Uyghur minority, is the winner of the Sakharov Prize 2019.

The finalists were:

°Murdered Brazilian political activist and human rights defender Marielle Franco, Native Brazilian leader and environmentalist Chief Raoni and Brazilian environmentalist and human rights defender Claudelice Silva dos Santos °The Restorers, a group of five students from Kenya - Stacy Owino, Cynthia Otieno, Purity Achieng, Mascrine Atieno and Ivy Akinyi - who have developed i-Cut, an app to help girls deal with female genital mutilation (FGM) °Ilham Tohti, an Uyghur economist fighting for the rights of China’s Uyghur minority

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 2019 (T)

Ilham Tohti  (CN)

Sakharov Prize 2019

Plenary session: Award of the Sakharov Prize 2019 - Statement by David SASSOLI, EP President, and by Jewher Ilham, daughter of Ilham Tohti (12.15 - 12.32)

Plenary session: Award of the Sakharov Prize 2019 - Award of the Prize (12.32 - 12.35)

Award of the Sakharov Prize 2019 to Tohti ILHAM, advocate of China's Uyghur minority

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Support to democracy and human rights activities

Roberta METSOLA, EP President receives Jewher Ilham, the daughter of Sakharov Prize laureate Ilham Tohti

Award of the Sakharov Prize 2019 to Tohti ILHAM, advocate of China's Uyghur minority - Press conference

Press conference by David SASSOLI, EP President and Jewher Ilham, daughter of Ilham Tohti, 2019 Sakharov Prize

Plenary session: Award of the Sakharov Prize 2019 - Opening remark by David SASSOLI, EP President (12.06 - 12.13)

EP Journalists Seminar with the laureate's daughter and the finalists of the 2019 Sakharov Prize: extracts from the seminar

Interview of Jewher Ilham, daughter of IlhamTohti, Sakharov Prize 2019 laureate on the occasion of the Sakharov Prize 2019 awarded to her father, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg

Clip: Sakharov Prize 2019 - Ilham Tohti, advocate of China's Uyghur minority

2019 Sakharov Prize: extracts from the ceremony of award to Ilham Tohti, advocate of China's Uyghur minority

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with Jewher Ilham, daughter of Ilham Tohti, Sakharov Prize 2019 laureate: arrival and handshake

Exchange of views with Jewher Ilham, daughter of Ilham Tohti, 2019 Sakharov Prize laureate: extracts from the joint meeting of Committee on Foreign Affairs, Committee on Development and Subcommittee on Human Rights

Infoclip: Ilham Tohti, Sakharov Prize 2019 laureate

Sakharov Prize 2019: The fight of imprisoned Uyghur activist Ilham Tohti

Sakharov Prize 2019: Announcement of the laureate of the Sakharov Prize 2019 by David SASSOLI, EP President

Sakharov Prize 2019: extracts from the announcement of the laureate by David SASSOLI, EP President

Vote on a shortlist of 3 candidates for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2019: statement by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Chair of AFET Committee

Clip: Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought (1988 - 2019)

Clip: Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought (1988 - 2018)

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