People of Ukraine awarded EU’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stated this at a meeting of the EU Parliament in Strasbourg, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

She noted that it is a great honor for her to announce the winner - the brave Ukrainian people. The MEPs congratulated the winner with a standing ovation.

She praised the efforts of the people of Ukraine in their battle against Russia's ongoing invasion. "They also protect our entire continent, our values, freedom, rule of law and democracy," the EP President said.

According to the nomination, the Ukrainian people are fighting to protect their homes, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, but every day they are also fighting for freedom, democracy, the rule of law and European values on the battlefields.

The nomination highlights the efforts of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky together with the role of individuals, representatives of civil society initiatives, and state and public institutions including the State Emergency Services of Ukraine, Yulia Pajevska, founder of the evacuation medical unit Angels of Taira, Oleksandra Matviychuk, human rights lawyer and chairwoman of the organisation Center for Civil Liberties, the Yellow Ribbon Civil Resistance Movement, and Ivan Fedorov, the mayor of the Ukrainian city of Melitopol, which is currently under Russian occupation.

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

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