The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought; it is awarded annually by the European Parliament. Established in 1988, the award intends to recognize the commitment of personalities or groups of personalities who have distinguished themselves in the defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Prize particularly promotes freedom of expression, minority rights, respect for international law, the development of democracy and the implementation of the rule of law. Every year, around 10 December, the European Parliament

hands over the "Prize for the defense of human rights" during a solemn session in Strasbourg. The date corresponds to the day of the signing of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
The Prize has been awarded in these 25 years to both individuals and associations including: dissidents, political leaders, journalists, lawyers, civil society activists, writers, mothers and wives, an anti-terrorist group, pacifists, minority leaders, an activist against torture, a prisoner of conscience, a director, a cartoonist, and an international body.
How does it work?
The European Parliament awards the winner of the Sakharov Prize a sum of € 50,000 during a formal plenary session which takes place in Strasbourg towards the end of the year.
All political groups in Parliament can nominate candidates; even individual deputies can do so, provided they have the support of at least 40 deputies for each candidate. Candidates are presented at a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Committee on Development (DEVE) and the Subcommittee on Human Rights; committee members vote on a shortlist of three candidates. The Conference of Presidents, an organ of the European Parliament headed by the President and comprising the leaders of all political groups represented in Parliament, annually elects the winner (s) of the Sakharov Prize, whose choice is therefore a choice European in all respects.

Celebration of the centenary of Andrei Sakharov

This year the European Parliament celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Andrei Sakharov. To celebrate this special occasion, the President of the European Parliament David Maria Sassoli wrote a preface to the guide of the exhibition Andrei Dmitrievich Sakharov - Person of the Era (Andrej Dmitrievič Sakharov - Person of the century), from which the following tribute is taken: "Today , in a world where authoritarian regimes and populist forces undermine fundamental freedoms and question the principle of human rights, the moral symbol represented by Andrei Sakharov is a source of inspiration for all those who fight for democratic principles ".

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Andrei Sakharov, the inspirer

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Andrei Sakharov (1921-1989) did not win any Prize in his name, but he was the inspirer par excellence. Renowned physicist, member of the Academy of Sciences, dissident and Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1975, he learned from his exile in the city of Gorky that the European Parliament intended to establish a prize for freedom of thought bearing his name.

For this reason, in 1987, two years before his death, he sent a message to the European Parliament from his exile, expressing his emotion and approval. Rightly, he considered the initiative an encouragement for all those who, like him, have devoted themselves to the struggle for respect for human rights.

The Sakharov-Andrei Sakharov Prize was exiled to Gorky by the Soviet authorities to limit his contacts with the world, but the Prize named after him goes far beyond the confines of repressive regimes to reward activists around the world. The defenders of the Prize named after him have often paid dearly for their commitment to the defense of human dignity: many have been beaten, persecuted, imprisoned, or exiled. Many of them weren't even free to collect the prize in person.

Sakharov said ...

I don't believe in dogmas, I don't like official Churches - especially those that are too tied to the state, those that stand out for their purely ritual exterior, fanaticism, intolerance. At the same time I cannot imagine the universe and human life without a principle that gives them meaning, without a source of spiritual "heat" existing beyond matter and its laws. Perhaps such a way of feeling can be defined as religious. (from Memoirs, A. Sakharov, SugarCo, Milan, 1990)

Sakharov Prize

The Sakharov Prize since 1988 recognizes the commitment of prominent personalities who have distinguished themselves in the fight against intolerance, fanaticism and oppression. The winners of the award, named after the father of the hydrogen bomb who rebelled against the very weapons he had studied, testified with their lives how much courage is needed to defend human rights and freedom of expression. Find out who they have been over the years  the winners of the Prize >>>

To know more:

Sakharov's biography from the Nobel Prize website

The Sakharov Prize from the European Parliament website

Sakharov's life from the American Institute of Physics website

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