Political groups in the European Parliament (EP) presented today the candidates for this year’s Sakharov Prize, awarded for freedom of thought, and among the nominees are students from Serbia.
The students were nominated for the Sakharov Prize by the Renew Europe group, stating that their struggle reflects the key principles of the European Union and represents “an inspiration beyond the borders of Serbia.”
“Serbian students are an inspiration”
“Serbian students have inspired the young, but also those who are not so young. I feel nothing but admiration for those who fight for human dignity and the rule of law. They inspire not only the Western Balkans, but all of Europe,” said MP Helmut Brandstetter.
He emphasized that Serbian students are brave young people who stand up to a totalitarian regime, even at the risk of their own safety.
Brandstetter added that young people from Serbia are needed who will fight for Europe and European values, as opposed to those who fight on the side of China or Russia and their interests.
MP Irena Joveva emphasized that the student struggle has been going on for 11 months, despite the oppression of a regime she described as increasingly resembling the Belarusian one. She also reminded that students face arrests and are forced to go on hunger strikes.
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“We must not allow them to lose hope”
“With their courage, they are fighting for the whole of Europe. We must not allow them to lose hope in European values,” Joveva stated.
Eight candidates were presented at the joint session of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Development, and the Subcommittee on Human Rights.
The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, David McAllister, emphasized that human rights and freedom of expression are fundamental values that must be promoted in the current global circumstances.
“In a time when democracy is under threat around the world, when lives are lost because of it, this award carries special importance,” McAllister underlined.
After the presentation of the candidates, the relevant committees of the European Parliament will vote on a shortlist of three candidates on October 16. The winner will be chosen at the end of October by the Conference of Presidents, composed of EP President Roberta Metsola and the leaders of political groups.
The award ceremony will be held at the December session of the EP in Strasbourg.
Among the candidates, slain Charlie Kirk
Among the candidates is also the murdered American activist Charlie Kirk, who was nominated by the Europe of Sovereign Nations group, led by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
“He stood for the exchange of opinions even with the greatest opponents. He stood for freedom of thought and speech,” said MP Marc Jongen.
He added that it is shameful that the European Parliament did not honor Kirk with a minute of silence, and that the Sakharov Prize would be a way to send a different message and correct the injustice.
“Those who consider Kirk’s beliefs to be fascist are committing an injustice against an extraordinary human being and undermining the foundations of Western civilization. This civilization is unimaginable without Christianity and a peaceful way of resolving conflicts,” Jongen said.
Other groups in the EP proposed Palestinian journalists and humanitarian workers, the Pride Parade in Budapest, and dissidents in Georgia and Algeria for the prize.
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded since 1988 and is the highest European recognition for work in the field of human rights freedom.
Each September, MPs and political groups nominate candidates, and each candidate must have the support of at least 40 MEPs, while one MEP may support only one candidate.
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Source: Nova.rs, Foto: ATA Images