2023 Sakharov Prize: finalists chosen

MEPs have shortlisted Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life and Freedom Movement in Iran, Nicaraguan human rights activists and women fighting for a free, safe and legal abortion.

On Thursday 12 October, MEPs on the Foreign Affairs and Development committees chose in a joint vote the finalists for the European Parliament’s 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, during a joint meeting with Human Rights Subcommittee MEPs.

They selected:

- Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life and Freedom Movement in Iran;

- Vilma Núñez de Escorcia and Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos, Nicaragua;

- Women fighting for a free, safe and legal abortion: Justyna Wydrzyńska (Poland), Morena Herrera (El Salvador) and Colleen McNichols (United States).

Read more about all the nominees here.

Next steps

The European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (President Metsola and political groups’ leaders) will select the winning laureate on Thursday 19 October. They will receive the prize itself at a ceremony in the European Parliament’s hemicycle in Strasbourg on 13 December.

Background

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is named in honour of Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov and the prize money is 50 000 euros.

Last year, Parliament awarded the prize to the brave people of Ukraine, represented by their president, elected leaders, and civil society.