Judul : Sakharov Prize: Voices Behind Bars and Borders.
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Sakharov Prize: Voices Behind Bars and Borders.
The European Parliament has narrowed down the selection for the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, identifying three finalists who exemplify the defense of human rights, freedom of expression, and democratic principles. The prize, awarded annually, recognizes individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional commitment to these values.

The finalists for this year's Sakharov Prize are:
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Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli: These two journalists, representing Belarus and Georgia respectively, were nominated jointly by the European People's Party (EPP) and the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) groups.
- Poczobut, a journalist, essayist, and blogger from the Polish minority in Belarus, is currently imprisoned.
- Amaglobeli, a Georgian journalist, was detained in 2025 for her involvement in an anti-government protest and subsequently sentenced to two years in prison on what are widely considered politically motivated charges.
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Journalists and Humanitarian Aid Workers in Palestine and Conflict Zones: This nomination, championed by the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group and supported by The Left, recognizes the vital work of journalists and humanitarian personnel operating in Palestine and other conflict areas around the globe.
- The nomination specifically highlights the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, the Red Crescent, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
- The Left group also specifically mentioned the work of journalists Hamza and Wael Al-Dahdouh, Plestia Alaqad, Shireen Abu Akleh, and Ain Media.
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Serbian Students: This group was selected by the Renew Europe group for their leadership in organizing nationwide protests following a tragic incident in Novi Sad in November 2024.
- The protests were triggered by the collapse of a railway station awning, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people. The students mobilized citizens to demand accountability and improved safety measures.
Several other nominations were considered but ultimately did not make the shortlist. These included Budapest Pride (nominated by the Greens/EFA group), Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal (nominated by the Patriots for Europe (PfE) group), and the late US conservative activist Charlie Kirk (nominated by the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group).
The nomination of Charlie Kirk sparked considerable debate within the European Parliament. A moment of silence held in his memory during a plenary session in Strasbourg in September led to heated political exchanges. While his candidacy was supported by ESN members and some PfE members of the European Parliament (MEPs), it ultimately failed to secure enough votes for inclusion on the shortlist.
One MEP from the S&D group, Marco Tarquinio, stated that Kirk was a "strongly divisive figure" who "was sowing words of hate against certain minorities." He contrasted Kirk's nomination with the finalists, whom he described as "victims who do not give up, who do not use hate speech, nor legitimise it."
Conversely, Hermann Tertsch, an MEP from the Spanish far-right party Vox, defended Kirk's legacy and criticized the inclusion of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate among the finalists. Tertsch alleged that "Palestinian journalists often mean members of Hamas."
The winner of the 2025 Sakharov Prize will be announced next Wednesday in Strasbourg. The decision will be made by the Parliament’s Conference of Presidents, which includes President Roberta Metsola and the leaders of the eight political groups. The award ceremony, accompanied by a grant of 50,000 euros, is scheduled to take place on December 16 in Strasbourg.
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honor of Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, has been awarded annually since 1988. Past recipients include prominent figures such as South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and former president Nelson Mandela and Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The prize recognizes individuals and organizations who have made exceptional contributions to the defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Last year's prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González.
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