Sakharov prize handed to the opposition and political prisoners of Venezuela

Wednesday, December 13, in Strasbourg handed the prize named after Andrei Sakharov “For freedom of thought” of the democratic opposition and political prisoners of Venezuela. About it writes DW.

The award, which is annually awarded by the European Parliament, has received Chairman of Parliament Julio Borges and other opposition leaders and political prisoners.

“At the moment, Venezuela is experiencing serious political and economic crisis. As a result of inflation, which is growing rapidly, millions of Venezuelans are struggling to buy food or medication, while since the beginning of the year, more than 120 people were killed during street demonstrations directed primarily against the government of Nicolas Maduro”, – stated in the text of the statement of the European Parliament.

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The European Parliament also stressed that in the prisons of Venezuela, according to human rights organisation Foro Penal Venezolano, there are 300 political prisoners.

We will remind, the prize “For freedom of thought”, named after the Soviet physicist and human rights activist Andrei Sakharov, was established by the European Parliament in 1988. It is awarded to people or social organizations who have distinguished themselves in the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The award amount is 50 thousand euros.

Last year the Sakharov prize has been the Yezidi human rights activist, survivor in captivity of ISIS.