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The 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the annual prize by the European Parliament, was awarded to Jina Mahsa Amini and the “Woman, Life, Freedom” Movement in Iran, announced by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. The prize, established in 1988, honors individuals and organizations safeguarding human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Awarded last year to the brave people of Ukraine, represented by their President, elected leaders, and civil society, this year’s prize admires Jina Mahsa Amini, a 22-year old Iranian Kurdish woman who was arrested by the police in Tehran on 13 September 2022 for reportedly disregarding Iran’s rigorous veiling laws. She eventually died three days later in a Tehran hospital, as a consequence of the police brutality she experienced while in custody.
As a result of this atrocious death, massive women-led protests under the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom” spread across Iran. They have been objecting to the several discriminatory laws in vigor in Iran, including the hijab law.
In the words of President Metsola: “The European Parliament proudly stands with the brave and defiant who continue to fight for equality, dignity and freedom in Iran…By choosing them as laureates for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2023, this House remembers their struggle and continues to honor all those who have paid the ultimate price for liberty.”
The European Parliament continues to condemn the systemic human rights abuses in Iran. As a matter of fact, in October 2022 MEPs requested sanctions against the Iranian officials who were involved in Amini’s death and the regime’s repression. In January 2023, the European Parliament requested for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be placed on the EU’s terrorist list and for the adoption of more sanctions against the Iranian regime.
The award ceremony took place on 12 December 2023 in the European Parliament’s hemicycle in Strasbourg.
18/12/2023
