BD-03-13-570-EN-C Celebrating 25 yearshuman rights O F supporting Celebrating

for freedom of thought

Celebrating 25 years OF supporting human rights

www.europarl.europa.eu/sakharov

“People should always follow their consciences. Human rights are the basis of civilisation.”

Elena Bonner

2 3 Foreword

Twenty five years of defending and to empower girls and women in their The European Parliament is a strong voice from Cuba and former /Burma promoting human rights through the struggle for self-determination. Malala defending political prisoners, dissidents political prisoner Suu Kyi. award of the Sakharov Prize are being is an inspiration to children and adults and human rights defenders. celebrated in 2013. everywhere and we aim to follow the path To mark this special 25th anniversary she has trod with concrete support. In Through the European Parliament’s of the Sakharov Prize which we are Over the years we have recognised and fact, the European Union has dedicated “Sakharov Prize Network”, which includes celebrating this year, I have invited supported the struggle of individuals its 2012 Nobel Prize money to a Children all Laureates and representatives of the Laureates from all over the world to come and organisations of individuals who of Peace initiative helping children around European Parliament, we aim to provide a together with the European Parliament have bravely stood up against the world, including girls in Pakistan, to strong platform for all those who cherish to strengthen our mutual struggle for and repression, war and terrorism, realise their right to education. freedom of thought, to strengthen the human rights and fundamental liberties imprisonment and torture for their rights message of peace, tolerance, freedom, worldwide, and the ideals our Laureates and the rights of others. As the representatives of more than 500 human rights and the rule of law strive for in their everyday lives. million European citizens , the European worldwide. I’m very proud that in 2013, This year, I am particularly pleased to Parliament is fully committed to the cause the European Parliament has received Together, with the courageous men and welcome among the Sakharov Laureates of human rights. The European Parliament and held award ceremonies for three women, and now this young girl - Malala, , a brave young girl from puts its weight behind our common Laureates who had been politically whom we have recognised with the Pakistan whose determination to fight values in very concrete terms through impeded from coming to the European Sakharov Prize, will continue to work for children’s right to education is so adopting human rights resolutions, visits Parliament at the time of their award: the together to make the universal human motivating. Malala has taken her fight on the ground, intervention at diplomatic Damas de Blanco and Guillermo Fariñas rights we believe in a reality for all. beyond Pakistan to the world, fighting levels and electoral observation missions.

Martin Schulz President of the European Parliament

4 5 “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made in the lives of others”.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

The Sakharov Prize

Established in 1988 in honour of Russian The EP awards the Sakharov Prize with its nuclear scientist and human rights activist €50 000 endowment at a formal plenary Andrei Sakharov, the Sakharov Prize for sitting in Strasbourg towards the end of Freedom of Thought is the highest tribute each year. Political groups or at least 40 to human rights endeavours the European Members of the European Parliament can Union accords. It gives recognition and nominate candidates. These are presented moral support to the Laureates, who are at a joint sitting of the Foreign Affairs and strengthened and empowered in their fight Development Committees and the Human for their causes. Rights Sub-committee and their voting Members decide on a short-list of three. The Prize has been awarded to individuals and to associations: dissidents, political The final Laureate or Laureates for each leaders, journalists, lawyers, civil society year are chosen by the Conference of activists, writers, mothers and wives, Presidents, an EP body led by the President minority leaders, an anti-terrorist group, and encompassing the leaders of all the peace activists, an anti-torture activist, different groups represented in Parliament, a cartoonist, a long-serving prisoner of making the choice of the Laureate a truly conscience, a film maker and even the UN European choice. as a body. It rewards in particular freedom of expression, safeguarding the rights of minorities, respect for international law, development of democracy and implementation of the rule of law.

6 7 Andrei Sakharov Inspiration for the Prize

Andrei Sakharov (1921-1989), the renowned banned from all military-related research. persecution, loss of personal freedom, “What you managed to achieve was a physicist, member of the Academy of In 1970 he became one of the co-founders beatings or exile. In a number of cases the great victory for all freedom fighters all Sciences, dissident and 1975 Nobel Peace of the Committee on Human Rights in the winners have not been free to receive their over the world. May those who come Prize Laureate was living in exile in Gorky USSR and married fellow human rights prize in person. in future realise your unrealised dreams. (today’s Nizhny Novgorod) when he learnt activist Elena Bonner in 1972. Despite They will definitely struggle to realise their that the European Parliament intended to increasing pressure from the government, One such winner is 2012 Laureate dreams and will guard them”. create a prize for freedom of thought which Sakharov not only sought the release of , who, from prison in , would bear his name. From his exile he sent dissidents in his country but became one has written letters addressed to the late Like Andrei Sakharov, all the winners of a message to the European Parliament, in of the regime’s most courageous critics, Andrei Sakharov, exploring philosophically the prize which bears his name have 1987, giving his permission for his name embodying the crusade against the denial the meaning of dissidence and comparing demonstrated just how much courage, to be given to the Prize and saying how of fundamental rights. He was, in the her cause to his. patience and inner strength is needed to moved he was. He rightly saw the Prize words of the Nobel Peace Committee, “a defend human rights and campaign for as an encouragement to all those who, spokesman for the conscience of mankind”. “Reading your memoirs was exciting for their universal recognition. like him, had committed themselves to Neither intimidation nor exile could break me in many ways. The similarities in our championing human rights. his resistance. methods and the existence of lots of points in common, were all very encouraging to A pioneer in nuclear physics in the USSR, Andrei Sakharov was exiled to Gorky by me and of course your reluctance to Andrei Sakharov became concerned at the Soviet authorities in order to limit surrender to the authoritarian methods the onset of an arms race that heightened his contacts with foreigners. The Prize of the government in your country was the threat of a nuclear world war hanging that bears his name goes far beyond admirable. over the world of the era. After borders, even those of oppressive regimes, publishing, first in form (self- to reward human rights activists and “Your daily renewal of life and resistance printed, type-written copies) then in dissidents all over the world. The human was amazing. You of course were reflecting the Western press, an essay containing rights defenders recognised by it pay the spirit of Goethe when he said “he alone Reflections on Progress, Peaceful Coexistence, dearly for their commitment to defending deserves liberty and life who daily must win and Intellectual Freedom, Sakharov was human dignity: many have faced them anew”.

8 9

The Sakharov Prize Network

The Sakharov Prize Network was created campaigner, reaffirmed at the conference, The Network then enhanced its activities and Ahmed El Senussi, debated publicly in 2008, when the Sakharov Prize her husband’s belief that “people should with the High Level Conference of their views on democracy in the making celebrated its 20th anniversary. always follow their consciences” and her November 2011, to which all the in the wake of the Arab Spring. These own belief that “human rights are the basis Laureates were invited by then President laureates were also speakers at the first To mark this event the European Parliament of civilisation”. of the European Parliament Jerzy Buzek World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, had held a conference entitled: 20 years to discuss problems of transitional held with the patronage of the European of active support to human rights: Sakharov The Network was officially launched by democracies, the role of women and the Parliament. Laureates tell their story. Many of the the President of the European Parliament impact of new technologies. As Mr Buzek Laureates participated in this conference at the time, Hans-Gert Pöttering, as a underlined at the Conference “it is not 2013 marks the 25th anniversary of and shared their views on global human platform for Laureates to connect with one Facebook or that brought down the Sakharov Prize. The year saw a rights, and the impact of the Sakharov Prize. another’s activities and show solidarity. oppressive regimes, ultimately it is the number of Sakharov Prize Network , a 2005 Laureate, used her human spirit and the desire for freedom debates and a high-level Conference prize money to send over 100 children to The Laureates signed a joint declaration and changing things for the better”. in which Laureates from all over the school. Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo, the in which they “agreed to enhance joint world congregated with the European 1992 Laureates, used the prize to open a efforts in support of human rights At the Sakharov Prize Network Annual Parliament to discuss their struggles and bookshop, a political cafe and a university defenders around the world through Event in 2012, the then current co- strengthen and enrich each other within for over 2400 students. Elena Bonner, common actions by the Sakharov Prize chairpersons of the Network, European the Sakharov Prize Network. Andrei Sakharov’s widow and herself a winners jointly and in cooperation with Parliament President and renowned human rights and democracy the European Parliament”. 2011 Laureates Ali Ferzat,

10 11

The prize winners

1988 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela; Anatoli Marchenko (posthumously) 2002 Oswaldo José Payá Sardiñas 1989 Alexander Dubček 2003 UN Secretary General and all the staff of the 1990 2004 Belarusian Association of Journalists 1991 Adem Demaçi 2005 ; Hauwa Ibrahim; Reporters without Borders 1992 Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo 2006 Aliaksandr Milinkevich 1993 Oslobodjenje 2007 Salih Mahmoud Mohamed Osman 1994 Taslima Nasreen 2008 1995 2009 (Oleg Orlov, Sergei Kovalev and Lyudmila Alexeyeva 1996 on behalf of Memorial and all other human rights defenders in Russia) 1997 2010 Guillermo Fariñas 1998 2011 Arab Spring (, Asmaa Mahfouz, Ahmed El Senussi, and Ali Ferzat) 1999 Xanana Gusmão 2012 Nasrin Sotoudeh and 2000 ¡Basta Ya! 2013 Malala Yousafzai 2001 ; Nurit Peled-Elhanan; Dom

12 13 2013 Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is a 16-year old girl from a liberal Jirga member who ran a girls’ Pakistan who was shot in the face by the school, were subjected to threats. But Taliban to stop her and other girls from Malala continued her advocacy for girls’ going to school. education in outspoken interviews and “They shot her at point blank range in the TV appearances, volunteering for two head, and made her stronger,” Angelina documentaries about girls’ education in the Jolie, Hollywood actress, said at the launch Swat valley called Class dismissed in Swat of a first project to help 40 girls in Pakistan’s Valley and A school girl’s odyssey. She used a Swat district go to school. donation to buy a school bus, and it was on her way home on the same school bus that Malala recovered from her injuries Malala was shot, and two other girls were after extensive treatment in the United also injured, in an attack claimed by the Kingdom, where she is now living, and Tehrik-e-Taleban Party. has declared she wants “every girl, every child, to be educated”. The attack aimed to kill Malala and to “teach Her fight began at age 11 when she wrote a lesson” to anyone associated with her and an anonymous diary about a schoolgirl’s life her fight for the right to education, freedom under the Taliban in Pakistan’s Swat Valley and self-determination of young girls and for BBC Urdu online. women in Pakistan. But Malala fights on. On her sixteenth birthday on 12 July 2013, On Wednesday 14 January 2009, her entry she addressed the United Nations in an read “I may not go to school again”. Her event at headquarters organised by the UN school principal had announced the start Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon of the winter holidays but not the school Brown. reopening date. On 15 January 2009, the Taliban decreed that all girls’ schools in Swat “The terrorists thought that they would be closed. Over 150 schools had already change my aims and stop my ambitions,” been blown up. she said, “but nothing changed in my life, except this: weakness, fear and Shortly after, Malala and her family had to hopelessness died. Strength, power and flee their besieged town of Mingora as the courage was born”. Taliban and the Pakistani army fought for control. Malala’s school was devastated. The UN has chosen 10 November as Malala day to focus attention on girls’ right to go Returning home after the security situation to school, and Pakistan and Unesco have

improved, Malala and her father Ziauddin, formed the Malala Fund for girls’ education. © copyrightIsopix/Action Press in network phase

14 15 1988 Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

Six years after receiving the first was sworn in as President - he noted Sakharov Prize, was that “historical enemies succeeded in elected the first black President and Head negotiating a peaceful transition from of Government of the Republic of South apartheid to democracy exactly because Africa in the country’s first free elections. we were prepared to accept the inherent He had spent 27 years behind bars capacity for goodness in the other”. under racial apartheid and become the symbol of resistance to racism. When he Nelson Mandela, who was also awarded was awarded the Sakharov Prize in 1988, the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, is retired Mandela was still under , from public life, but remains committed to but just four months after his release, his ideals through his charities, the Nelson in June 1990, he addressed the Mandela Foundation and the Nelson European Parliament. Mandela Children’s Fund.

He was adamant on the need of a just In June 2013 Mr Mandela, 94, was and lasting solution to transform South hospitalised with a serious lung Africa into a “united, democratic and non- infection, initially contracted during his racial country”. Anything less would be imprisonment. Thousands of people “an insult to the memory of the countless from around the world sent messages patriots in South Africa and the rest of of love and support. our region, who have sacrificed their very lives, to bring us to the moment today As Mandela himself once said, “what counts when we can confidently say that the in life is not the mere fact that we have end of the apartheid system is in sight”. lived. It is what difference we have made in the lives of others”. In bidding farewell to the South African Parliament - 10 years to the day after he © European Union PE-EP © copyrightEuropean in network phase

16 17 1988 Anatoli Marchenko

Anatoli Marchenko, one of the former On the award of the Sakharov Prize to ’s best-known dissidents, died his widow, Larissa Bogoraz, in 1988, in Chistopol prison in 1986 of a three- Andrei Sakharov himself paid tribute to month-long hunger strike for the release Anatoli Marchenko, saying, in a message of all Soviet prisoners of conscience. He to the EP: “in My Testimony Marchenko was only 48 but had spent over 20 years in was the first to tell the truth about the prison and internal exile. The international post-Stalin labour camps and prisons. outcry following his death was a major His book became one of the foundation factor in finally pushing , stones of the human rights movement then Secretary General of the Communist in our country. With its spirit of morality Party, to authorize the large-scale release of through non-violent struggle for justice, political prisoners in 1987. with its aspiration towards unconcealed and complete truth, the book aroused the Marchenko became widely known through hatred of the organs of repression towards My Testimony, an autobiographical book on its author. The whole of his subsequent life his time in Soviet labour camps and prison. and his tragic death on Chistopol prison Having left school at age 8, Marchenko was their way of repaying him for this educated himself whilst imprisoned. After truth, this steadfastness, for his high moral his release in 1966, he not only wrote this principle. The achievement of Marchenko’s seminal book, but also joined the Soviet life and work is an enormous contribution human rights movement, becoming one to the cause of democracy, of humanity of the founding members of the influential and of justice”. Moscow Helsinki Group in 1975, organizing and appeals and authoring a number of open letters, several of which landed him in prison repeatedly. © copyrightInstytut in network w Moskwie phase Sacharowa

18 19 1989 Alexander Dubček

Alexander Dubček (1921-1992), was one Socialism a “human face” were shattered of the catalysts behind the process of on 21 August 1968 by tanks renewal and change in the former Eastern entering Czechoslovakia and seizing Bloc and the leading figure in the reform control of Prague. Dubček was kidnapped movement known as the Prague Spring by the KGB, taken to the Kremlin and in 1968 Czechoslovakia. briefly detained.

He grew up in a family committed to In 1970, he was accused of treason, stripped helping build socialism in the Soviet of office and expelled from the Communist Union. In 1939, Dubček secretly joined the Party of Czechoslovakia. For fifteen years Communist Party and after the occupation he lived as an ordinary worker and only of Czechoslovakia in the Second World War, returned to political life as a civil rights also joined the underground resistance activist in 1988. against the pro-German Slovak state. After the 1989 revolution in When in 1968 Dubček, a devoted Czechoslovakia, Dubček was elected communist, became the new First Chairman of the Federal Assembly from Secretary of the Communist Party of 1989 to 1992. As one of the figures who Czechoslovakia he sought to liberalize kept hope alive for the Soviet dissidents in the Communist regime. their long struggle for , as Andrei Sakharov described him in a message He began a series of liberal reforms, read out during the Sakharov Prize award granting the press greater freedom ceremony, Dubček expressed the wish of expression, rehabilitating victims that “as a result of the Prague Spring of the Stalin era political purges, and the great symphony of the European initiating a reform programme envisaging community spirit will continue to resound economic reforms and a wide-ranging in 1990 and in all the years to come”. of Czechoslovak political life. His reforms aroused concern in He died in a car crash in 1992. Moscow and his endeavours to give © copyrightCTK in network phase Zehl Photo/Igor

20 21 1990 Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi’s leadership of Burma/ election. Whilst she was under house Myanmar’s pro-democracy struggle was arrest the authorities refused her husband, recognised by the Sakharov Prize in 1990. who had been diagnosed with cancer, a A year later she was also awarded the visa to visit her in Myanmar, urging her to Nobel Peace prize. leave the country instead. Anticipating that she would not be allowed to return, Daughter of Aung San, a national she refused, and did not see her husband hero of independent Burma, who was again to his death in 1999. assassinated when she was two, and , a prominent Burmese diplomat, Suu She was still under house arrest during Kyi had returned to Burma, after living Myanmar’s first elections in two decades abroad, to nurse her dying mother in 1988. in 2010, but was released six days later. As the country began democratic reforms, That was when she witnessed the she stood for a parliamentary by-election brutal massacres of protesters against in April 2012, in which her party won 43 U Ne Win’s military regime, leading her out of the 45 seats available. She is now to begin her non-violent struggle for the leader of parliamentary opposition. democracy and human rights. On her electoral victory, the EP, which had She spent most of the two decades after repeatedly called for her unconditional 1990 under house arrest or in prison release, applauded her as “an example of after the ruling cracked selfless courage and struggle for freedom down with arrests and bloody reprisals and democracy in the face of tyranny”. on her National League for Democracy, In 2013, Aung San Suu KYI declared her refusing to hand over power to it despite wish to run for the country’s presidency. its overwhelming victory in that year’s Aung San Suu Kyi -© Platon/Trunk Archive San Suu Kyi -© Platon/Trunk Aung

22 23 1991 Adem Demaçi

A writer born in Priština, Kosovo, in 1936, This consisted of calling on Kosovars to Adem Demaçi spent a great part of his turn off their lights for five minutes and to life, between 1958 and 1990, in prison stand still in the street for one minute at for fighting for the fundamental rights precisely the same time. of the Albanians in Kosovo, and making known the bitter truth about the Serbian From 1998 to 1999, during the Kosovo oppression of the two million Albanians war, he was the political representative in Kosovo. of the Kosovo Liberation Army (UCK), remaining in Kosovo whilst other leaders “In our time we can confirm that freedom left the country. of speech is the first, crucial step towards democracy. Without freedom of speech After the war, he devoted himself mainly there is no dialogue, without dialogue to ethnic reconciliation and the return the truth cannot be established, and of . He became chairman of the without the truth progress is impossible”. Committee for Mutual Understanding, Tolerance and Coexistence, representing all After his release, Demaçi took on the ethnic groups in Kosovo, “because Kosovo leadership of the Council for the Defence belongs to everyone” and “we want a free, of Human Rights and Freedoms. In 1996, democratic and multi-ethnic society”. he embarked on a political career, joining the Parliamentary Party of Kosovo and Demaçi was nominated for the Nobel becoming its chairman. Peace Prize in 1996. He has written several books such as “Quantified love” and “Mother He called for open protests against the Shega and her five daughters. His trilogy Serbian regime saying that non-violence “Ashes 99” represents a spiritual image of does not necessarily mean passivity, and the Albanian drama, his own drama. began a visible, yet non-violent campaign against Serbian rule. © European Union © copyrightEuropean in network phase

24 25 “Without freedom of speech there is no dialogue, without dialogue the truth cannot be established, and without the truth progress is impossible”.

Adem Demaçi

26 27 1992 © 2005 John Isaacson Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo

For many years, the Madres de Plaza de In the light of democratic changes in Mayo remained united in the struggle Argentina in 2006, the Madres held their and sorrow of never having found their final annual March of Resistance, saying lost children. This movement, born of “the enemy isn’t in the government house the mothers’ search for their disappeared anymore”. Due to internal disagreements children during Argentina’s “Dirty War” the movement split up. The Founding Line, (1976-1983), helped bring down the however, have continued their weekly country’s military regime, and to try and Thursday marches to commemorate their imprison some of those responsible for long struggle, joined by a new group, Los crimes against humanity. Hijos des los Desaparecidos (the Sons of the Disappeared). Being a Madre de Plaza de Mayo meant facing fear and, enduring threats, violence On the 36th anniversary, Hebe de Bonafini, and random arrests in a country where leader of the movement, in an open letter, women were expected to suffer injustice asked the Supreme Court of Justice of in silence. Argentina, “to think of its own image and, from time to time, defend the people of They used their bodies as “walking Argentina, not only the large corporations”. billboards” for the pictures, the names of their disappeared children and pleas What the Madres de Plaza de Mayo started to have them back. At a time when it as a personal search for their abducted was forbidden even to stand together children has now evolved into a political in a group, the mothers staged their first struggle for an independent judiciary. protest by walking slowly in a counter clockwise circle in the Plaza de Mayo. Fourteen women held the first protest, but hundreds joined them later and their passive resistance held even when some of them were “disappeared”. © copyright in network phase

28 29 1993 Oslobodjenje

During the war in former Yugoslavia, the The editors of Oslobođenje were named popular daily newspaper Oslobodjenje International Editors of the Year for (Liberation) employed Bosnians, Bosnian 1993 by the World Press Review for Serbs and Bosnian Croats. Despite deaths their “bravery, tenacity, and dedication and injuries among their colleagues and to the principles of journalism”. For the destruction of the newspaper’s offices their outstanding work and efforts, by Serbian artillery, some 70 journalists Oslobodjenje’s journalists received several continued to work in a nuclear shelter other awards: Paper of the Year in 1992, in the cellar of their building in Sarajevo, the Freedom Award in 1993, the Oscar risking their lives so that Oslobodjenje Romero Award in 1993, the Nieman could continue in print. Foundation’s Louis M. Lyons Award for conscience and integrity in journalism Zlatko Disdarević, one of the editors at the in 1993, and the Achievements in time, and later an ambassador for Bosnia, Journalism Award in 1993. In 1995, editor- said that Oslobodjenje’s aim was to preserve in-chief, Mehmed Halilovic accepted the and defend Bosnia and Herzegovina as a University of Missouri Honour Medal from multiethnic state. the School of Journalism in Columbia for continuous publication of the daily “Our efforts were directed against newspaper throughout the 1992-1995 death and against the partition or even siege of Sarajevo. complete eradication of Bosnia and Herzegovina from the map. The people Oslobodjenje was founded in 1943 and is of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina will still based in Sarajevo. In 2006, the paper continue to fight against the partition was acquired by two of the city’s largest which has its roots in the Europe that businesses, the Sarajevo Tobacco Factory existed before the Great War”. and the Sarajevo Brewery. © copyright in network phase

30 31 1994 Taslima Nasreen

Born in Bangladesh in 1962, Taslima A few years later, in September 1998, Nasreen started writing when she was 13, Taslima Nasreen returned to Bangladesh and is known for her powerful writings to her dying mother. As soon as this news on the oppression of women and her came out, religious fundamentalists once unflinching criticism of religion, despite again called for the writer to be put to her forced exile and multiple fatwas death. A court issued a warrant for her calling for her death. She is an award- arrest and threatened to confiscate her winning writer and her works have been assets. The EP answered Taslima Nasreen’s translated in thirty different languages. appeal for help and, in a resolution, called on the government of Bangladesh to Also a physician, secular humanist and protect her life and ensure her safety. In human rights activist, Nasreen feels January 1999, in the face of continuing her Bengali identity strongly. However, threats, Nasreen had to leave her because of her thoughts and ideas some homeland once again. She is now living of her books are banned in Bangladesh, in New Delhi. and she has been banned from Bengal, both from Bangladesh and the West In a visit to the European Parliament in Bengal part of India. June 2013, Nasreen urged support for the secular movements in Bangladesh When she won the 1994 Sakharov Prize, to counteract the rise of Islamic she had already sought refuge in Europe, fundamentalism, arguing that the latter is living in exile in and Sweden. In her especially detrimental to women’s rights. acceptance speech, she said she came from She took a stand against fundamentalism a part of the world where social tensions in all religions. and human difficulties were unbearable: as a writer, she could not close her eyes to the daily suffering and starvation. © European Union 2011 PE-EP © copyrightEuropean in network phase

32 33 1995 Leyla Zana

Leyla Zana in 1991 became the first The EP awarded her the Sakharov Prize Kurdish woman to win a seat in the Turkish in 1995 for her courageous defence parliament. She was also in prison for 10 of human rights and commitment to years for her political activism, deemed forging a peaceful, democratic resolution to be against the unity of the country by to conflicts between the Turkish Turkish courts. Government and its Kurdish population.

At 15 she married the former mayor of In 2004 after the European Court of Human Diyarbakir, Mehdi Zana, who was jailed Rights ruled that she had not received a fair during military rule in the 1980s for and independent trial, Zana was finally able “separatism”. Starting school at 23, she to address the EP in person at her Prize- earned primary and secondary diplomas award ceremony. in three years, and eventually took on an unsolicited leadership role as her In 2012, she was sentenced to another personal development was seen as 10 years jail for “spreading terrorist virtually synonymous with the realisation propaganda”. As an MP, re-elected in 2011, of fundamental rights for the Kurdish she has parliamentary immunity until 2015. population. Overwhelmingly elected to In June 2012, Zana met Prime Minister Parliament, she caused scandal in her Erdoğan after saying publicly that she swearing-in ceremony by saying in Kurdish hoped he would solve the Kurdish issue. “I take this oath for the brotherhood Her initiative served as the groundwork of between the Turkish people and the the negotiation process thanks to which Kurdish people”. Speaking Kurdish in the PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, in March public arena was then a criminal offense. 2013, made his historic call for the PKK to move from armed resistance to democratic In 1994 she was stripped of her political struggle. parliamentary immunity and sentenced to 15 years incarceration for “treason and membership in the armed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)”, a charge which she denied. © European Union 2010 PE-EP © European

34 35 1996 Wei Jingsheng

The “father of the Chinese democracy wrote Democracy or a New Dictatorship? movement” lives in exile but remains an in which he identified , active leader of the opposition to the then Communist leader, as the new Communist dictatorship in . dictator. Arrested three days later, Wei was convicted of “counter-revolution” He is the author of The Courage to Stand and jailed for 15 years in 1979. He was on Alone: letters from Prison and Other death row, then in solitary confinement, Writings, articles he initially wrote on toilet then in forced labour camps under strict paper in jail, and now published in more supervision till 1993, when he was released than a dozen languages. due to China’s decision to apply for the 2000 Olympic Games. Within six months He was sentenced to jail twice for 29 years he was arrested a second time, tried again, in total and served more than 18 years for convicted of “counter-revolution” and his activities and writings in support of sentenced to another 14 years. democracy, including his ground breaking 1978 essay The Fifth Modernization: At the time of his Sakharov Prize award in Democracy. This began as a signed wall 1996 he was still in prison. In 1997, after poster on the Democracy Wall in Beijing, overwhelming international pressure, Wei on which workers, artists and intellectuals was taken from his cell and put on a plane exercised their freedom of expression. It to the . He maintains that he caused a sensation, not only because it was not freed, but that his exile is further openly assaulted the “people’s democratic punishment. dictatorship” of the Communists, but also because he dared to sign it with both his From Washington, Wei leads the Wei real name and contact information. Jinsheng Foundation, the Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition and the In the Exploration, an underground Asia Democracy Alliance. magazine Wei founded and edited, he © European union © copyrightEuropean in network phase

36 37 1997 Salima Ghezali

Salima Ghezali is an Algerian journalist, The publication of La Nation resumed writer and women’s rights activist. In in 2011 on the Internet. In a Letter from the 1980s she became involved in the the editor, Ghezali explained the reasons Algerian women’s movement, amongst motivating her: “we cannot be indifferent other things as a founder member of to the dynamics of the young people Women of Europe and the Maghreb and in the Arab world who are fighting for as editor-in-chief of NYSSA, the women’s their dignity and freedom. We cannot be publication she herself founded. indifferent to what is happening in our country. We want the Algerian people A teacher turned journalist, she edited to be happy, because they deserve the French-language Algerian weekly La it. We want strong institutions, better Nation from 1994, the most widely-read human resources in a real democracy weekly in Algeria. As the 11-year civil war and the rule of law”. She concluded with between the government and Islamist a wish “for a better Algeria, where good rebel groups, which began in 1991 raged, governance is the rule”. La Nation advocated political dialogue for all sides in the war, human rights Salima Ghezali has won a range of and freedom of expression for all, and human rights awards such as the World criticized both government and Islamic Press Review Award, Olof Palm Priee and groups - the only paper to do so. Rothko Chapel Oscar Romero Award. She continues her activism on women’s rights, For this, the paper was seized and human rights and democracy in Algeria. suspended many times, and finally banned in 1996, after the appearance in Le Monde Diplomatique of Ghezali’s report on the human rights situation in Algeria. © European Union 2013 EP © European

38 39 1998 Ibrahim Rugova

In 1998, as the armed conflict between Rugova stuck to his approach based on Serbian units and the Kosovo Liberation non-violent opposition to the Serbian Army escalated, the European Parliament regime, constantly reiterating his willingness honoured a man committed to the to enter into dialogue with Belgrade. His principle of peaceful resistance to violence. position in negotiations was criticised by Adem Demaçi, who was favouring a more Accepting the award Rugova said “this prize nationalistic approach. At the same time, he represents for me and for all the people endeavoured to win over world opinion to of Kosovo, recognition of our peaceful his people’s cause. struggle and our sacrifices”. He never faltered in urging the international Rugova, who was born on 2 December community to step up its pressure and offer 1944 in Cerrca (Istog), Kosovo, taught Kosovo protection. literature at the University of Priština before being elected leader of the Convinced that his people could achieve Kosovo Democratic Alliance (LDK) in self-determination only through peace, 1989. That year, Belgrade abolished the on 18 March 1999 Rugova signed the autonomous status of the province Rambouillet peace agreement as the of Kosovo and the Albanians found chief negotiator for the Kosovo Albanians. themselves subject to oppression, with Belgrade’s refusal to endorse the agreement opposition leaders arrested. In 1990 the led on 24 March to the launch of NATO two million Kosovo Albanians adopted attacks on Yugoslavia and the withdrawal of their own constitution. In a 1991 Yugoslav forces from Kosovo. Rugova was referendum, 97% of them voted for an forced to go underground. In March 2002 independent Kosovo, and in 1998 they Ibrahim Rugova was elected as the first confirmed Rugova as President of their President of Kosovo. He died of cancer on self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo. 21 January 2006. © European Union EP PE © copyrightEuropean in network phase

40 41 1999 Xanana Gusmão

Xanana Gusmão is known as the “Mandela In 1986 he managed to bring together of Timor”. Recognised as a leader and the various political and social groupings symbol of the Timorese resistance who to form the Timorese National Resistance aimed to bring an end to the armed conflict Council (TNRC). for independence from Indonesia, he had just been released from prison, where However, on 20 November 1992 Xanana he had served seven years of a 20-year Gusmão was arrested and sentenced to jail term on charges of separatism, when life imprisonment, subsequently reduced the EP awarded him the Sakharov Prize in to 20 years. But the Timorese resistance December 1999. held and massive international pressure was brought to bear on Indonesia for When the Portuguese withdrew from his release. When freed in September East Timor, Indonesia began a policy 1999 - shortly after the referendum of 30 of destabilising its neighbour. On 7 August, in which 80% of the population of December 1975, Indonesia invaded. East Timor had voted for independence - Gusmão went underground and in 1978 Gusmão promised “to do everything in my became leader of the military wing of the power to bring peace to East Timor and Revolutionary Front for the Independence my people”. of East Timor (FRETILIN). In April 2002, in the first free presidential The violence which accompanied the elections held in East Timor, Gusmão was invasion cost an estimated 200 000 elected with almost 83% of the votes. On lives, but failed to break the people’s 20 May 2002 UN Secretary General Kofi determination to resist. Annan officially declared the Democratic Republic of East Timor an independent Xanana Gusmão sought to secure a state and Gusmão served as President peaceful solution to the conflict by until May 2007. In 2008 he survived an proposing a peace plan and talks under UN assassination attempt. He currently serves supervision to the Indonesian Government. as Prime Minister. © European Union EP PE © copyrightEuropean in network phase

42 Xanana Gusmão legally changed his name from Jose Alexandre Gusmão to Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão. 43 Kay Rala was his nom de guerre during the struggle for Timor Leste’s freedom and self-determination and Xanana was a name he was known by in his youth. 2000 ¡BASTA YA!

The members of Basta Ya risked their lives Enough is Enough, and which was granted while fighting terrorism. The only “weapon” consultative status with the United Nations they had was the peaceful mobilisation of Economic and Social Council in July 2004, the people to protect their basic freedoms. consisted of people who worked for basic During many years, fundamental freedoms human rights, democracy and tolerance in and human rights had been under threat in the Basque country. the Basque country from terrorism by ETA and related groups. Thousands of people The organisation carried out several had been victims of intimidation, extortion, activities amongst which stand out blackmail and attacks, with families and the two large demonstrations in San property also targeted. They were unable to Sebastian, in February and October of express themselves freely or exercise their 2000. They demanded the dissolution of rights without taking great risks. ETA, supported the victims of terrorism and defended the Constitution and the Basta Ya was created because basic civil Statute as the basis for the dignified liberties and human rights were under coexistence of all Basque citizens. threat in the Basque Country, especially for “non-nationalist” citizens, due to ETA’s Basta Ya dissolved itself in 2007. Its terrorism and the activities of groups leaders, Carlos Martinez Gorriarán, Juan related to it. Its creation was also due to Luis Fabo, Rosa Díez and Fernando the increase of ethnic and xenophobic Savater created a political party (UPyD), nationalism among the more moderate which is currently active on the political nationalist parties, and groups who sought stage in Spain. Fernando Savater was the to come to an agreement with ETA. intellectual leader of the movement and represented Basta Ya at the Sakharov Prize The civic initiative whose name translates to award at the EP in 2000. © European Union - 2000 EP © copyrightEuropean in network phase

44 45 2001 Izzat Ghazzawi

Izzat Ghazzawi (1952-2003) was He was also a member of the Executive Palestinian writer and professor whose Bureau of the Palestinian Council for writings focused on the troubles Justice and Peace and was awarded and sufferings imposed by Israeli the International Prize for Freedom of occupation on the Palestinian territories Expression in Stavanger in 1995. He was and his personal suffering which imprisoned and punished on a number he thought could be transformed of occasions by the Israeli authorities as a into a power to heal. result of his political activities.

His life was marked by the killing, by On presenting his Sakharov Prize award in the Israeli Army, of his 16-year-old son 2001, then EP President Nicole Fontaine, Ramy, in 1993. Ramy was killed in the paid him homage for having “untiringly courtyard of his school as he went to help promoted the cause of peace and dialogue a wounded friend. between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. Your ardour has never slackened, despite Despite this tragedy, Izzat Ghazzawi imprisonment and censorship and, worse always continued to seek cultural and than all else, the irreplaceable loss of your political dialogue with the Israeli people. sixteen-year-old son Ramy”.

Born of parents, he gained an MA Shortly after his son’s death, together with in American-British literature and worked the Israeli writer Abraham B. Yehoshua as a professor at Birzeit University. He and the photographer Oliviero Toscani, he chaired the Union of Palestinian Writers, published Enemies on relations between wrote novels and short stories, was a Palestinians and Israelis which became literary critic and organised and chaired hugely successful. the first International Writers’ Conference in Palestine (1997). Izzat Ghazzawi died on 4 April 2003. © European Union 2001 - EP © copyrightEuropean in network phase

46 47 2001 Nurit Peled-Elhanan

An Israeli born in 1949, Nurit Peled- She is also very committed to changing Elhanan is a university lecturer and the mentality of the Israeli society, in author. In 1997 her 13-year-old daughter particular the young generation. Her Smadar was killed in a suicide attack latest publication, entitled Palestine carried out by a Palestinian in West in Israeli school books. Ideology and Jerusalem. propaganda in education, draws attention to an education in Israeli “My little girl was killed just because she schools that appears to lean towards was an Israeli by a young man who was racism rather than tolerance and oppressed and exasperated to the point diversity. She has been strong in her of suicide and murder just because he criticism of world leaders including was a Palestinian. Both are the victims of George Bush, Tony Blair and Ariel Sharon the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Now for “infecting their respective citizens their bloods are mixed on the stones with blind fear of the Muslims”. of Jerusalem that have always been indifferent to blood”. She did not allow Nurit Peled Elhanan is a co-initiator of the Israeli authorities, including the prime Russell tribunal, an International People’s minister to come to the funeral ceremony. Tribunal established in 2009 to examine the role and complicity of third parties, Herself the daughter of the famous such as governments, institutions and General Matti Peled, renowned for his corporations, in violations of international pacifist and progressive campaigning, law committed by against the Nurit Peled has become a symbol of those Palestinian people. in Israel who fight against the occupation and for the freedom of Palestine. © European Union 2013 EP © copyrightEuropean in network phase

48 49 2001 Dom Zacarias Kamwenho

In 1999, renewed awareness of the need climate of support for democratisation to fight for peace and human rights can largely be attributed to the campaign began to increase among the Angolan conducted by Kamwenho and other people, encouraged by the efforts of religious and civil leaders. In 2003 church leaders and various civil society Archbishop Kamwenho resigned as chair bodies to foster “inclusive national of the Bishops’ Conference of Angola and reconciliation”. Archbishop Zacarias São Tomé but continued to work actively Kamwenho was in the vanguard of this through his diocese and the Ecumenical peace movement. Committee for Peace in Angola for the realisation of democracy, respect for Born in Chimbundo (Huambo, Angola) fundamental freedoms and human rights, in 1934, and ordained in 1961, he was the implementation of the rule of law and made Archbishop of Lubango in 1995. lasting national reconciliation. In 2007, Dom Zacarias Kamwenho expressed his he declared that, “over the last two years firm, impartial and determined views to in particular, a new awareness of the all parties of the conflict in an effort to need to fight for peace and human rights achieve lasting peace through political has been growing among the Angolan dialogue after 26 years of civil war. people, encouraged and represented by the efforts of Church leaders and various He was awarded the Sakharov Prize in civil society bodies, the ultimate aim 2001 in recognition of his untiring efforts being inclusive national reconciliation”. for peace. In 2012, the now-retired archbishop The ceasefire which came about in 2002 called on Angolans to exercise their right after the killing of guerilla leader Jonas to vote. Savimbi, the peace talks and the general © European Union 2013 EP © copyrightEuropean in network phase

50 51 2002 Oswaldo José Payá Sardiñas

Oswaldo José Payá Sardiñas (1952-2012) Assembly. He also launched the Foro is best known as the founder of the Todos Cubanos in 2010. Varela Project, a campaign in support of a referendum on laws guaranteeing civil In 2012, he was nominated for the sixth rights, free pluralist elections, the release time for the Nobel Peace prize. The same of all political prisoners, and economic year, on 22 July 2012, he lost his life in and social reforms in Cuba. a car crash in Cuba. EP President Martin Schulz, in homage, stated his belief that An active reformer since youth, he was “Oswaldo Payá’s ideas will survive as his persecuted and condemned on several work and commitment have inspired a occasions for his criticism of ’s generation of Cuban activists who were policies and injustices, but that did not following his example in promoting stop him from founding, in 1988, the political freedom and human rights”. Christian Liberation Movement, now one of the largest opposition movements in The Christian Liberation Movement Cuba. In 1990, Oswaldo Payá launched continues to call for a clarification of the a call for national dialogue and started circumstances of his death. His family to gather 10,000 signatures in order to have rejected the official version of a convert a civic proposal into law. As a car accident. His daughter, Rosa Maria, result, the secret police detained him. has pled for an impartial international inquiry into her father’s death before In 1997 he drew up the ambitious the UN Human Rights Council and Varela Project. Despite the backlash other international organisations and from the authorities against this popular denounced the persecution and threats project, with campaigners in its favour inflicted on the family by State Security imprisoned, Payá did not give up and in agents. In June 2013, Payá’s family moved 2008, presented a draft law on amnesty to the USA, where they plan to live for political prisoners to the National temporarily as political refugees. © European Union EP PE © European

52 53 2003 UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and all the staff of the United Nations

In awarding the 2003 Sakharov Prize Development Goals and Africa, and sought to the United Nations, the European to bring the UN closer to the global public Parliament gave recognition to the UN’s by forging ties with civil society, the private endeavours for peace, human rights and sector and other partners. fundamental freedoms. In 2005, Kofi Annan presented to the UN The Sakharov Prize honoured particularly General Assembly the report entitled the United Nations’ members of staff who In larger freedom where he outlined his work tirelessly for world peace, often vision for a comprehensive and extensive under difficult conditions. reform of the UN. Among other things, this resulted in the creation, in March The Prize was awarded in special 2006, of a new Human Rights Council, to memory of Sergio Vieira de Mello, the replace the old Commission on Human United Nations High Commissioner Rights, with the aim of strengthening the for Human Rights and one of the world body’s machinery to promote and worthiest representatives of the UN who, protect fundamental rights, and deal with whilst serving as Kofi Annan’s special major human rights offenders. representative in Iraq, was amongst those killed in 2003 in an attack on the UN After completing two terms as the UN Headquarters in Baghdad. Secretary General in 2007, Annan became involved in several organizations focusing Kofi Annan was the seventh Secretary- on global and African issues. In 2012, he General of the United Nation. He served served as Joint Special Envoy of the UN and from 1997 to 2006 and was the first to the Arab League to with the goal of emerge from the ranks of United Nations finding a solution to the conflict. In 2013, he staff. He was a constant advocate for human was appointed Chair of The Elders.

© UN Photo/Sergey Bermeniev © UN Photo/Sergey rights, the rule of law, the Millennium

54 55 2004 The Belarusian Association of Journalists

The Association represents over 1,000 In spite of big efforts to improve the professionals, who work under extremely media situation in Belarus, it is still far difficult conditions to protect the rights from favourable. The 2009 Belarusian of journalists and often fall victim to media law leaves room for the authorities intimidation, harassment, criminal to shut down media they consider too prosecution and expatriation. critical. Foreign media must obtain a licence to operate in Belarus, and The commitment of the Belarusian working for them without accreditation Association of Journalists (BAJ) to is an obstacle for local journalists, who the cause of freedom of speech and get warnings from the KGB and the the promotion of independent and Prosecutor’s Office when caught. professional journalism in Belarus is inspirational. BAJ works to increase public The penal code still contains articles awareness of the constitutional right penalising defamation of higher officials. to freedom of information and of how In 2011 BAJ member Andrzej Paczobut, a people can exercise their rights. correspondent for the Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza, was sentenced to a three-year It defends journalists’ rights, especially in suspended sentence. He was repeatedly times of crisis, such as violent aftermath of charged under the same article in 2012, the contested presidential elections in 2010. but then the case was closed.

BAJ aims to liberalize media legal Independent media suffer from economic regulations and encourages high quality discrimination: the biggest distribution, and ethical journalism. Since it was set up, postal and typography businesses are BAJ has been the major association for state-run, and may refuse to cater services the independent press in Belarus with the to some sharp-tongued media, as it is the main aim of providing the public with the case with the regional newspapers Novy most objective, truthful, comprehensive Chas, Gazeta Slonimskaya, Intex-Press. and timely information. © copyright in network phase

56 57 2005 Ladies in White

In 2013, Cuba’s Damas de Blanco, also They marched in the streets and wrote known as the Ladies in White, were finally many letters to the Cuban authorities, able to address the EP and accept in person asking for the prisoners’ release, to which the Sakharov Prize they had been awarded they did not get a single reply. But their in 2005. persistent protests got results: the last two of the Black Spring prisoners were released President , and representatives in March 2011. Most accepted exile to Belkis Cantillo Ramirez and Laura Maria Spain. A small number remain in Cuba, Labrada Pollán, daughter of the beloved continuing their fight in difficult conditions Damas co-founder Laura Pollán who died at great personal cost. in 2011, were allowed to exit Cuba after the Cuban authorities eased travel restrictions Even after the release from prison of on citizens in January. their loved ones, the Damas de Blanco Berta Soler compared the Sakharov Prize to continue to walk down Havana’s streets “a shield” which would protect the Damas carrying flowers, every Sunday, fighting on their return to Cuba. for social justice in Cuba. More and more In 2005 the EP had recognised their women have joined the group despite courage and commitment to the cause of the difficulties in communication and the human rights in Cuba and drew attention beatings, detentions and psychological to the detention of the 75 political harassment inflicted on the Damas. dissidents imprisoned in March 2003, Cuba’s Black Spring, most for simply criticising the In April 2013, shortly after the Sakharov lack of political freedom in the country. Award ceremony, the Damas and other dissidents, including 2010 Laureate The Damas’ movement formed Guillermo Fariñas, set up the International spontaneously in reaction to the Platform for Human Rights in Cuba. imprisonment of their husbands and relatives in the Black Spring crackdown. © copyrightAFP ImageForum in network phase

58 59 2005 Hauwa Ibrahim

A human rights lawyer from Nigeria, and involved women accused of adultery a mother of two sons, Hauwa Ibrahim and condemned to death by stoning was born in 1967 in a small, impoverished and children sentenced to have limbs village, the daughter of a mullah. A career amputated. Her professional skill in court, as a lawyer was not supposed to figure in support from Lawyers without Borders, her destiny. What she was supposed to do and the focused attention of international was get married at the age of 10 and end and national media and public opinion, her studies at primary school level. She have saved the lives of Amina Lawal, Safiya refused this destiny. Hussaini, Hafsatu Abukabar and many others.

As one of a handful of women lawyers She is acutely aware of the importance practising in northern Nigeria, her of education in the empowerment of work took her into the rural hinterland, women: poverty and illiteracy go hand sometimes travelling by camel or donkey. in hand, and fundamentalism feeds on She describes this time as among the best ignorance. Hauwa Ibrahim, brought up of her life, in touch with the grassroots she a Muslim herself, works tirelessly to fight came from. religious fundamentalism.

Hauwa Ibrahim has built up what can In 2012, she published Practicing Shariah only be described as an extraordinary Law: Seven Strategies for Achieving practice: defending people who are Justice in Shariah Courts, providing real- condemned under the Islamic Sharia law world insights into the intricacies of Sharia applied in 12 northern states of Nigeria. law and written whilst she was a Visiting Lecturer at the Harvard Divinity School Death sentences, although not carried out (2010-2013). for the moment, continue to be handed down. Since 1999, Hauwa Ibrahim has Hauwa’s cause now resonates beyond worked free-of-charge as defence counsel Nigeria’s borders, but she has yet to make in over 150 cases, many of which have her voice heard in her own country. © European Union 2011 PE-EP © copyrightEuropean in network phase

60 61 “My only objective is to have the fundamental rights of each and every human being respected, like the rule of law and the right to a fair trial.”

Hauwa Ibrahim

62 63 2005 Reporters without Borders

According to Reporters without Reporters without Borders’ multilingual Borders, more than a third of the world’s website keeps a daily record of attacks on population live in countries where they press freedom worldwide and offers the do not enjoy press freedom. In 2012, the opportunity of signing online petitions in Reporters without Borders’ Press Freedom support of imprisoned journalists. Barometer recorded 50 journalists killed and 147 imprisoned whilst doing their job To circumvent censorship, it occasionally or for motives related to their profession. publishes articles which have been banned in their country of origin, hosts Reporters without Borders continuously newspapers that have been closed down monitors and denounces attacks on in their homeland and serves as a forum freedom of information worldwide, fights for journalists who have been “silenced” censorship and laws aimed at restricting by the authorities of their country. freedom of information, assists morally and financially persecuted journalists As a Sakharov Prize Laureate, Reporters and their families and offers material without Borders has brought together assistance to war correspondents in order other Laureates and coordinated to enhance their safety. In order to ensure activities. that the murderers and torturers of journalists are brought to trial, since 2002 its Network provides victims with legal services and represents them in court. © copyright in network phase

64 65 2006 Aliaksandr Milinkevich

Aliaksandr Milinkevich, leader of the Aliaksandr Milinkevich did not stand in democratic opposition in Belarus, was the Presidential elections in 2010, as he chosen to be the joint presidential considered that no changes had been candidate of the United Democratic made to national electoral regulations to Opposition in October 2005. He collected ensure fair, free and open elections. more than 100 000 supporting signatures throughout the presidential election As a Sakharov Prize Laureate, Milinkievich campaign of 19 March 2006. has participated in several conferences on human rights organised by the European Milinkevich called for a truly democratic Parliament, think-tanks and civil society future for Belarus and presented organisations. In his presentations, he has himself as a real alternative to the expressed concern about the repressive authoritarianism of President Lukashenka. policies implemented by the dictatorial regime in power, pointing to a critical President Lukashenka’s victory was economic situation in Belarus with an heavily criticised by the opposition in increasing budgetary deficit leading to a Belarus and abroad for vote-rigging. After real dependence, notably on Russia. He has contesting, Milinkevich was arrested called for the democratic development and under various pretexts, but no charges the strengthening of his country’s relations were brought against him. with the European Union and the USA. Asked whether receiving the Sakharov Prize had helped his political activity, The human rights situation in Belarus Milinkievich stated that “only we can has further deteriorated after the 2010 change things from within to make our elections. The authorities have enacted country democratic and free. But, the a law criminalizing behaviour deemed solidarity shown by European leaders is critical to the state. The silencing and very important. The more support we get imprisonment of journalists, activists, and from the EP and EU leaders the less easy it other critics of current regime continues. is for a dictator to continue his repression”. © Union Européenne 2010 EP-PE © copyrightUnion Européenne in network phase

66 67 2007 Salih Mahmoud Mohamed Osman

Salih Mahmoud Osman had been for many years. I have been a victim of providing free legal representation to detention and torture because of my work. people arbitrarily detained, tortured, and Members of my own family have been subjected to serious human rights abuses tortured and displaced by the militia in in for over two decades when Darfur. For many years, in my work, I have the EP unanimously awarded him the represented thousands of people who Sakharov Prize in 2007. needed my help in front of the Courts. I have seen thousands of people who have “In the name of human dignity, Salih been tortured, I have seen hundreds of Osman reassures those destitute, women and young girls who have been defenceless and intimidated men and victims of sexual abuse”, Salih Osman said women who have sunk into oblivion in his acceptance speech. that the world is aware of their suffering,” Hans-Gert Pöttering, then EP President, Osman is actively involved in the said on presenting Osman his award. protection of the millions of Sudanese who were displaced from their homes. He “In the name of justice, Salih Osman has catalogued crimes that have taken strives, day after day, to ensure that those place, particularly in Darfur, and engaged responsible for war crimes are held to in a campaign to have rape prosecuted as account both nationally and internationally”. a war crime.

“I am a native of Darfur, born in Jebel He served as a Member of the Sudanese Marra, which is a mountainous region Parliament for the opposition between located in the centre of Darfur State. I have 2005 and 2010. worked as a lawyer in Darfur in Sudan © European Union © European

68 69 2008 Hu Jia

Chinese dissident Hu Jia has been and-a-half years’ in jail and denied his imprisoned and released since the EP political rights for a year. awarded him on the 20th Anniversary of the Prize for his calls for an official inquiry When he was awarded the Sakharov Prize, into the Tiananmen Square massacre and he was pressured by state security police, compensation for the victims’ families, even through his parents, to renounce it. his environmental activism and his work against Aids. Hu Jia tackled Aids issues Hu Jia bravely accepted it, calling it “an when HIV/Aids was still a prohibited topic in important prize for China”. Zeng Jinyan, China and the number of suspected cases his wife and co-nominee for the Prize in was treated as a “state secret”. 2007, in a video message on his behalf, declared it an affirmation to Chinese Hu Jia is also one of the coordinators of the human rights defenders’ on the long and “barefoot lawyers”, an informal group of hard road of the defence of human rights legal advisers who defend human rights for which they and their relatives pay an activists in China. extremely high price.

In 2007, he bravely testified via a conference In a letter to the EP President in July 2012, call before the EP’s Sub-Committee on Hu Jia said he considered the Prize a “truly Human Rights, calling attention to one a great honour” which “provided me with million people persecuted by the Chinese encouragement and greatly improved the national security department for fighting way I was treated in prison”. for human rights, with many detained in prison, in labour camps or mental hospitals. He was released in June 2011, and continues to be an outspoken dissident As a direct result of this, Hu Jia was and advocate for change in China, despite arrested on 27 December 2007, charged frequent harassment, beatings and with “inciting subversion of state power”, arbitrary detention. and sentenced on 3 April 2008 to three- © European Union © copyrightEuropean in network phase

70 71 2009 Memorial

Oleg Orlov, Sergei Kovalev and Lyudmila Oleg Orlov, a member of the Council Alexeyeva were awarded the Sakharov of Memorial and one of Memorial’s Prize in 2009 on behalf of Memorial and all leaders since 1994, worked in Chechnya other human rights defenders in Russia. in dangerous conditions of war. In 2007 Orlov was kidnapped, beaten and Memorial was established as an informal threatened with death by government group of citizens in 1988, with Andrei employees in Ingushetia. Sakharov amongst its founders. Sergei Kovalev is the current chair of the It focuses on the hot spots of armed Russian Memorial. He spent 10 years conflicts, monitoring and making public (1974-1984) in a labour camp and in exile systematic violations of human rights in for the editing of the surreptitious dissident former USSR states. magazine Chronicle of current events. He headed the Committee, that Orlov was also Memorial is constantly under pressure part of, that in 1995 negotiated the release from the Russian authorities, with of around 2000 people held hostage in the members and close associates threatened, Chechen rebel seizure of the hospital in abducted and even assassinated. Budennovsk. The attack led to the end of the first Chechen war and was the only time In 2013, following a November 2012 that a terrorist attack in Russia did not result law requiring NGOs receiving funding in mass hostage deaths. from outside the country to register as “foreign agents”, Memorial’s offices were Lyudmila Alexeyeva, is the head and co- searched by the Public Prosecutor’s founder of the Moscow Helsinki Group. office. Memorial resisted the coercion Born in 1927, she is one of the few Soviet- to register as a foreign agent and era dissidents still active in modern Russia. challenged the Prosecutor’s action in She is renowned for campaigning for fair court but the first instance ruling upheld trials of arrested dissidents and for their the legality of the search. objective coverage in the media. © European Union 2009 PE-EP © European

72 73 2010 Guillermo Fariñas

A doctor of psychology, independent Guillermo Fariñas could not participate in journalist and political dissident in Cuba, the 2010 Sakharov Prize award ceremony Guillermo Fariñas has over the years at the EP because he was not allowed to conducted 23 hunger strikes to protest leave Cuba. In July 2012, he was arrested against the Cuban regime, with the aim at the funeral of another Sakharov Prize of achieving peaceful political change, Laureate and Cuban dissident, Oswaldo freedom of speech and freedom of Payá, and briefly detained. expression in his country. After the Cuban government eased As a journalist, he founded the travel restrictions on Cubans, and upon independent press agency Cubanacán the return of the Damas de Blanco to Press with the aim of informing the rest Cuba, after visiting the EP in April 2013, a of the world of the destiny of political belated Sakharov Prize Award ceremony prisoners in Cuba, but was eventually honouring Guillermo Fariñas also took forced by the authorities to close it down. place at the EP, on 3 July 2013.

In February 2010, after the controversial “Today, I am here not because the death of Orlando Zapata, Fariñas began situation has essentially changed, but a hunger strike that he only ended in because of the realities of the modern July 2010, after the Cuban government world, and above all, because of the announced it was in the process of growing civic defiance of Cubans, which freeing 52 political prisoners. By then, has forced the regime to - like the Fariñas, who was calling for the liberation legendary prince Don Fabrizio from Il of political prisoners who had been taken Gattopardo said - “change something so ill after many years of imprisonment, had that nothing changes”,” Fariñas stated in been refusing food and liquids for more his acceptance speech. than 130 days. © European Union 2013 EP © copyrightEuropean in network phase

74 75 “We cannot be indifferent to the dynamics of the young people in the Arab world who are fighting for their dignity and freedom.”

Salima Ghezali

76 77 2011 Mohamed Bouazizi

Mohamed Bouazizi, a vegetable seller Mohamed Bouazizi’s action spurred the from Sidi Bouzid, has become a legend in so-called “people’s revolution” and shook Tunisia and the Arab world and a symbol despotic governments even elsewhere for Tunisians fighting for democracy and in the Arab world. It spread awareness freedom. He died on 4th January 2011, at amongst the Arab youth that they the age of 26, after setting himself on fire no longer had to remain silent before in protest against a system that kept him injustice, corruption and autocratic rule: from making a decent living for himself they could voice their frustrations and and his family. Mohamed had been a fight for their dignity. However, nowadays, victim of the Tunisian law enforcement in Tunisia and other Arab countries, agents on several occasions. He sought the optimism sparked by Mohamed justice, which he never found. Instead, Bouazizi’s self-immolation and the he was humiliated and dejected. In subsequent popular uprising has been desperation, he set himself on fire. tempered by the cruel reality that life in Tunisia and elsewhere has not improved His death helped incite an uprising that overnight after the Arab Spring. toppled the government of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. © European Union 2011 PE-EP © copyrightEuropean in network phase

78 79 2011 Ali Ferzat

Ali Ferzat is a renowned Syrian political He objects to the idea that there is a civil satirist and one of the Arab world’s war in Syria. Rather, as he told the Oslo most famous cultural figures. Born in Freedom Forum in 2013, there are on in 1941, he has published more one side the regime and its foreign allies, than 15,000 cartoons in Syrian and Russia, Iran, , and on the other international newspapers: drawings that side the Syrian people. have pushed the boundaries of freedom of expression in Syria. Unable to attend the Sakharov Prize ceremony in 2011 as he underwent In 2011, as the wave of Arab Spring treatment in Kuwait for his injuries, he rebellions erupted and Syrians began to received the award at the Sakharov protest the regime of Bashar al-Assad, his Prize Network public debate held at the cartoons were waved in the streets. European Parliament in October 2012, where discussed with the EP President and His criticism of the regime led to his other Laureates the revolution in Syria and being badly beaten by masked men the future of democracy following the Arab in public in , and left on the awakenings. As a Sakharov Laureate, he streets as dead. Both his hands were addressed the first edition of the Council of broken, in what the masked men called Europe’s World Democracy Forum. Ferzat a warning to him against dishonouring said then that while the revolution in Syria his masters. was ongoing, it had already been won: there was no going back. Ali Ferzat not only recovered the use of hands, but broke the barrier of fear Ali Ferzat was voted as one of Time to become one of the regime’s most Magazine’s 100 most influential people outspoken critics through his words and in the world in 2012 and has won various his art. human rights awards. © European Union 2012 - EP © copyrightEuropean in network phase

80 81 2011 Asmaa Mahfouz

Asmaa Mahfouz is an Egyptian human people, I want to tell him, “You are the rights activist born in 1985 who braved reason behind this, and you are a traitor, the Mubarak regime’s crackdown on just like the president or any security cop online activists to post a call on various who beats us in the streets”.” social media outlets on the internet for Egyptians to claim their freedom, Later in 2011, Asmaa Mahfouz, one of dignity and human rights by protesting the co-founders of the April 6 youth peacefully in Tahrir Square on 25th movement, was arrested and charged January 2011. with defamation of the Egyptian military rulers by calling them “a council of dogs”. The video went viral and inspired a wave As a result, she was referred to a military of similar videos, resulting in hundreds court, but later released on bail. On of thousands occupying Tahrir Square October 23 2011, Mahfouz held a teach-in clamouring for Hosni Mubarak to end his at Liberty Plaza, in a show of support for 30-year rule of Egypt, which he did on 11th the Occupy Wall Street movement. February 2012. In her second video, Asmaa Mahfouz broadcast the following message: She was a main speaker at the Sakharov “if you think yourself a man, come with Prize Network debate held in Brussels me on 25 January. Whoever says women at the European Parliament, in October shouldn’t go to protests because they will 2012, discussing the post-revolution get beaten, let him have some honour evolution of the situation in Egypt and and manhood and come with me on 25 the future of democracy in Arab countries January. Whoever says it is not worth it following the Arab Spring. because there will only be a handful of © European Union 2011 PE-EP © copyrightEuropean in network phase

82 83 2011 Ahmed El Zuber El Senussi

Ahmed El Senussi, born in 1934, is Libya’s enjoy the freedom to vote and stand in longest-serving prisoner of conscience. He elections, to make their voices heard”. was accused of conspiracy in an attempted coup against the Gaddafi regime in 1970 In October 2012, at the Sakharov and spent 31 years in prison. He was Prize Network debate held at the EP, released in August 2010, alongside dozens he discussed the aftermath of the of other political prisoners. As a member revolution and armed conflict in Libya of the National Transitional Council set up and the future of democracy in Arab in 2011 as the Libyan revolution toppled countries following the Arab Spring. At the Gaddafi regime, he was in charge of the first edition of the World Democracy political prisoners. Forum at the Council of Europe, to which he was invited as a Sakharov He now continues his courageous work Laureate, El Senussi denounced the lack to improve human rights and the rule of of an effective government in Libya law in Libya and considers the Sakharov and drew attention to the kidnappings, Prize he received to be an award to the torture, permanent surveillance and Libyan people. blackmailing of the population that plague the Libyan society. He said that “This prize has huge symbolic and his call for a federal system in Libya moral value,” he said on accepting it. “It was met with accusations of treason, in also provides further stimulus for the particular by imams. These accusations, consolidation of the values we have El Senussi said, were a clear operation always been in favour of, the creation of a to misread his proposal and tarnish democratic, constitutional state based upon the reputation of those who want to the equality of all, a state where women improve the situation. © European Union 2011 PE-EP © copyrightEuropean in network phase

84 85 2011 Razan Zaitouneh

Razan Zaitouneh is a Syrian journalist and she warns of human rights defenders at human rights lawyer who, two years after risk. She is also an active member of the being awarded the Sakharov Prize, was Committee to Support Families of Political still in hiding in Syria as the war raged on. Prisoners in Syria and a co-founding member of the local coordinating Announcing her as the winner of the committees of the revolution in Syria, 2011 Sakharov Prize with her Arab founded in April 2011. Spring co-Laureates, including Asmaa Mahfouz, then EP President Jerzy Buzek In May 2011 agents of the air force said the “two young ladies deserve not intelligence service burst into her house in only our admiration and respect, but Damascus and not only took many of her better prospects for their future. Their documents and personal belongings, but nomination represents a tribute to the also her husband’s brother, Aburrahman decisive role played by women during Hammada, who was visiting, as a hostage the Arab Spring”. in exchange for the fugitive couple. After that Razan Zaitouneh’s husband Wa’il Born in 1977, Razan Zaitouneh started Hammada was also arrested and the to practice law in 2001 and became a brothers spent three months in solitary defence lawyer for political prisoners. confinement before they were released.

She co-founded the Human Rights She dedicated her Sakharov Prize to little Association in Syria, in which she Ghiyat, the new-born child of a friend and remained active till 2004. fellow activist, 26-year-old Ghiyath Matar, who had been tortured to death before In 2005, she set up the Syrian Human his son was born. Rights Information Link, an internet platform which functions as a database Razan refuses to leave Syria until the for human right violations committed by fighting in the country is over and the the Syrian regime, and through which regime has been toppled. © Shutterstock © copyright in network phase

86 87 2012 Nasrin Sotoudeh

Nasrin Sotoudeh was serving the second violators of human rights”, Nasrin year of a six-year jail sentence in Iran’s Sotoudeh said. notorious Evin prison when she was awarded the Sakharov Prize. Calling for the realization of human rights everywhere, she identified their violation as Jailed for fearlessly defending dissenters the basic cause of the wave of revolutions arrested in the 2009 mass protests against sweeping the Middle East. To human rights the presidential election they believed defenders and political prisoners she said, was fraudulent, Nasrin was at the time “just like you, I also know that democracy in solitary confinement and on a seven- has a long and difficult road ahead”. week hunger strike, in protest of pressure “We only need to remember that during on her family, including a travel ban the same years that Martin Luther King’s imposed on her 12-year-old daughter. struggles against racial discrimination were The ban was subsequently lifted and to bear fruit, in another part of the world, she stopped hunger-striking, saying she Nelson Mandela started three decades of would resume if her husband, who is still imprisonment for his fight against racial banned from travel, is put on trial. discrimination and in the same year of his release, a fighting woman in another In a very weak and frail state, she found continent in Burma spent around two the strength and courage to write a decades under house arrest for seeking memorable message to the EP, read for her freedom. at the award ceremony by Nobel Laureate, friend and colleague Shirin Ebadi. “Now that Aung San Suu Kyi is released, Iranians who seek freedom and using totally “The story of human rights, and the peaceful methods are sentenced to long- mechanisms for guaranteeing them, term imprisonments for wanting freedom. has come a long way, yet its realization These are all signs of a truth. The freedom still largely depends on the intentions torch is moving from one hand to another of governments: which are the biggest but it shall never be extinguished”. © Handout/afp/ European Union 2012 EP © copyrightHandout/afp/ European in network phase

88 89 2012 Jafar Panahi

Jafar Panahi is a film-maker who has been “The awarding of the Sakharov Prize banned from making films for 20 years. for Freedom of Thought 2012 to Nasrin An outspoken supporter of the Iranian Sotoudeh and Jafar Panahi is a message of opposition, Green movement and a solidarity and admiration to a woman and critic of the then President Ahmedinajad, a man who have not been bowed by fear he was sentenced to six years jail for and intimidation and who have decided “propaganda against the Islamic Republic”. to put the fate of their country before their He now effectively lives in a state of limbo, own,” EP President Martin Schulz said. banned from leaving the country or talking to the media and with the shadow of Panahi’s daughter Solmaz and French imprisonment looming over him. Cinémathèque director Serge Toubiana represented him at the Sakharov Prize In his work, inspired by realism and a award ceremony at the EP, and his friend humanistic perspective on life, Jafar Panahi, and acclaimed Costa Gavras has focused his lens on the hardship of read his acceptance speech. life in Iran for children, the impoverished and especially women since the Islamic “Two years ago, upon receiving my revolution, incurring the wrath and sentence, a friend asked me what the exact censorship of the Iranian authorities. meaning of the sentence was,” Panahi said. “According to this friend, the message His award-winning films are banned in Iran carried in the sentence was for me to run and have landed him in jail more than once. from my country and never come back.

In 2010 he was arrested together with “Evidently I chose to stay, even though I his wife, daughter and 15 friends, all later could no longer take my camera into the released. In 2011 he shot heart of society and do the only thing I showing him sitting at his kitchen table, know how to do: film-making. Not making talking to his lawyer, waiting to be jailed. films is a slow death for a filmmaker”. © European Union 2012 EP © copyrightEuropean in network phase

90 91 “The freedom torch is moving from one hand to another but it shall never be extinguished”.

Nasrin Sotoudeh

92 93 European Union: the role of the European Parliament in human rights

EU citizens, according to the latest which came into force in 2009 with the The Development Committee also holds world, which is examined by Parliament. opinion polls, believe that human rights Lisbon Treaty. This Treaty also provided the regular discussions about human rights in Parliament has also strengthened its are the value the European Parliament legal basis for the EU as a whole to become developing countries. role in the defence of human rights by should defend as a matter of priority. The a party to the European Convention on supporting parliamentary democracy European Parliament often takes specific Human Rights (ECHR). All 28 Member States In the plenary session, Parliament debates and parliamentary political dialogue, initiatives such as preventing torture, the of the EU have ratified the ECHR. The EU’s every month urgent cases of human holding hearings with civil society protection of human rights’ defenders, accession to the ECHR, which is underway, rights violations in non-member states, in representatives from non-member states conflict prevention, promoting women’s will close a gap in human rights protection particular, individual cases. The European and sending ad hoc delegations to assess and children’s rights, the protection and enhance consistency between the Parliament’s resolutions often serve as the the human rights situation on the ground. of minorities, the rights of indigenous Council of Europe’s and the EU’s human basis for action by the Union’s Council of The main forums for political dialogue peoples and people with disabilities. It rights systems. Ministers, the European Commission and between the European Parliament and actively supports the campaign for a the European External Action Service, Members of non-EU countries are: the UN moratorium on executions and the In the common foreign and security policy, and sometimes could have an immediate EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly, the worldwide abolition of the death penalty, and the development cooperation policy, impact on the concerned governments’ Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for and also supports the International Criminal EU law states as its objective to “develop actions. the Mediterranean, the Euro-Latin American Court in its fight against impunity for and consolidate democracy and rule of Parliamentary Assembly called EuroLat, and genocide, war crimes and crimes against law, and respect for human rights and Parliament’s legislative powers allow it to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly with humanity. Within the EU the Agency for fundamental freedoms”. These objectives block the conclusion of agreements with Eastern European partners. Fundamental Rights aims to ensure that the have been explicitly incorporated largely non-member states if there are serious basic rights of people are protected and thanks to the European Parliament. In its breaches of human rights and democratic The European Parliament has already people are treated with dignity. relations with the third countries, the Union principles. Parliament insists on strict used its budgetary powers to substantially is bound to work for democracy, the rule compliance with the human rights clauses increase the resources earmarked for Respect for human dignity, freedom, of law, the universality and indivisibility of that are systematically included in such programmes dealing with democracy and democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights and fundamental freedoms, agreements. In April 2011, Parliament human rights and it successfully fought to respect for human rights are principles respect for human dignity, the principles of called for the EU to suspend negotiations keep functioning the European Instrument enshrined in the Treaty on European Union equality and solidarity, and respect for the for an Association Agreement between for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). and are legally binding. Member States principles of the United Nations Charter and the EU and Syria. In September 2011, the The EIDHR is a key financial and policy found in serious breach of these values may, international law. EU Cooperation Agreement with Syria instrument through which the EU with the European Parliament’s consent, was partially suspended “until the Syrian contributes to the development and face the suspension of rights deriving from The Subcommittee on Human Rights, in authorities put an end to the systematic consolidation of democracy and the rule the Treaties of the EU. the Committee of Foreign Affairs, is the violations of human rights”. of law, the respect of all human rights and body responsible for parliamentary work in fundamental freedoms all over the world, Human rights are set out in the Charter of human rights. Its reports and resolutions are Every year the EU issues an annual report and the support and protection of human Fundamental Rights of the European Union, adopted by the Foreign Affairs committee. on human rights and democracy in the rights defenders worldwide.

94 95 Contact Addresses of the European Parliament

PARLEMENT EUROPÉEN | EUROPEES PARLEMENT Rue Wiertz, 60, B-1047 BRUXELLES Wiertzstraat, 60, B-1047 BRUSSEL Tel: +32/2.284 2111 Fax: +32/2.230 6933

PARLEMENT EUROPÉEN Plateau du Kirchberg BP 1601 | L-2929 LUXEMBOURG Tel: +352/4300 1 Fax: +352/4300 24842

PARLEMENT EUROPÉEN 1, avenue du Président Robert Schuman BP 1024F | F-67070 STRASBOURG CEDEX Tel: +33/388.17 4001 Fax: +33/388.17 4860

For more information visit: www.europarl.europa.eu www.europarl.europa.eu/sakharov

96 98