The EP 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran, in a ceremony on 12 December. The laureates were represented by Saleh Nikbakht, academic and lawyer representing Jina Mahsa Amini’s family; and Afsoon Najafi and Mersedeh Shahinkar, Iranian women's rights defenders who left Iran in 2023.

Opening the award ceremony, President Metsola declared: "This years’ Sakharov prize for Freedom of Thought, awarded to Jina Masha Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, serves as a tribute to all the brave and defiant women, men and young people in Iran, who despite coming under increasing pressure, are continuing the fight for their rights and push for change. The European Parliament hears you and supports you. You are not alone.ʺ

Jina Mahsa Amini was a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman. She was arrested by police in Tehran on 13 September 2022 for allegedly ignoring Iran’s strict veiling laws, and died in a Tehran hospital three days later following physical abuse while in custody.

Among the finalists&nbsp;were also:&nbsp;Women fighting for a free, safe and legal abortion: Justyna Wydrzyńska - Poland, Morena Herrera - El Salvador and Colleen McNichols - United States&nbsp; and&nbsp; Vilma Núñez de Escorcia and Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos, Nicaragua.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 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. It is named in honour of Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov and the prize money is 50 000 euros. Last year, Parliament awarded the prize to the brave people of Ukraine, represented by their president, elected leaders, and civil society.

Sakharov Prize 2023

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

Sakharov Fellowship 2024

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Civil society organisations meet with the European Parliament’s 2023 Sakharov Prize laureate and finalists - Discussion with the human rights activists

Civil society organisations meet with the European Parliament’s 2023 Sakharov Prize laureate and finalists - Discussion withfinalists -  Colleen McNicholas (US)

Civil society organisations meet with the European Parliament’s 2023 Sakharov Prize laureate and finalists - Discussion with finalists -  Monseñor Rolando Álvarez and Vilma Nuñez de Escorcia represented by Padre Uriel Vallejos and Sara Henríquez

EPAS Sakharov Seminar

First Vice-President Othmar Karas meets with the prize-winners and finalists of the Sakharov Prize ceremony.

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Civil society organisations meet with the European Parliament’s 2023 Sakharov Prize laureate and finalists - Discussion laureates’  ‘’Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life Freedom Movement in Iran’’  representatives and MEP Abir Al-Sahlani

Award of the 2023 Sakharov Prize: statements by Afsoon Najafi and Mersedeh Shahinkar representing Woman, Life, Freedom Movement, Sakharov Prize 2023 laureates

Award of the 2023 Sakharov Prize: Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with the Laureates, welcome and roundtable

Award of the 2023 Sakharov Prize: extracts from the ceremony

Award of the Sakharov Prize 2023: Ceremony and hand over of the prize to Afsoon Najafi and Mersedeh Shahinkar representing Jina Mahsa Amini and Woman, Life, Freedom Movement and Saleh Nikbakht, the lawyer of the family of Jina Mahsa Amini

Award of the Sakharov Prize 2023: Statement by Saleh Nikbakht, the lawyer of the family of Jina Mahsa Amini

Award of the Sakharov Prize 2023: Ambiance shots prior to the ceremony, introductory statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and video* on the laureate

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Afsoon Najafi and Mersedeh Shahinkar representing Jina Mahsa Amini and Woman, Life, Freedom Movement and Saleh Nikbakht, the lawyer of the family of Jina Mahsa Amini on the Sakharov Prize 2023

Award of the 2023 Sakharov Prize: Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Clip: Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought (1988 - 2023)

Sakharov Prize 2023 laureate: roundtable at the COP and extracts from the announcement of "Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran" as the laureate, by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2023 laureate "Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran" by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Infoclip: Tehran (Iran) - Sakharov Prize 2023

Announcement of the 3 finalists for Sakharov Prize 2023: statements by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), AFET Chair, Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), DEVE Chair and Udo BULLMAN (S&D, DE), DROI Chair

Infoclip: Vilma Núñez de Escorcia and Monsignor Rolando José Álvarez Lagos from Nicaragua - Sakharov Prize 2023

Infoclip: Women fighting for a free, safe and legal abortion: Justyna Wydrzyńska - Poland, Morena Herrera - El Salvador, and Colleen McNicholas - United States - Sakharov Prize 2023

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