On Thursday, political groups presented their candidates for the 2024 Sakharov Prize during a joint committee meeting. The three finalists will be selected in
October.
The Sakharov Prize, the EU’s highest tribute to human rights work, recognizes individuals, groups, and organizations making significant contributions to freedom of thought. The candidates for the 2024 award are:
María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia, representing the democratic forces in Venezuela and all Venezuelans fighting for freedom and democracy, nominated by the EPP group.
Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun, along with their co-founders Yael Admi and Reem Hajajreh (Israel/Palestine), nominated by the S&D group.
Elon Musk (United States), nominated by the Patriots for Europe group.
Edmundo González Urrutia (Venezuela), nominated by the ECR group.
Women Wage Peace & Women of the Sun (Israel/Palestine), nominated by the Renew Europe group.
Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu (Azerbaijan), nominated by The Greens/EFA group.
Journalists in Palestine (Hamza & Wael Al-Dahdouh, Plestia Alaqad, Shireen Abu Akleh, and Ain Media in honor of Yasser Murtaja & Roshdi Sarraj), nominated by The Left group.
Elon Musk (United States), nominated by the Europe of Sovereign Nations group.
These candidates were presented at a joint session of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Subcommittee on Human Rights, and the Committee on Development.
Background and Next Steps
First awarded in 1988 to Nelson Mandela and Anatoli Marchenko, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the EU's most prestigious recognition of human rights efforts. It honors those who have made significant contributions to promoting freedom of expression, minority rights, democracy, and the rule of law. In 2023, the prize was awarded to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement in Iran.
On 19 September, MEPs and political groups nominated candidates for this year’s prize. Each nominee must be backed by at least one political group or 40 MEPs, and each MEP may only support one candidate.
The shortlist of three finalists will be determined by a vote from the Foreign Affairs and Development committees on 17 October. The final winner(s) will be selected by the European Parliament's Conference of Presidents on 24 October. The award ceremony will take place on 18 December during a plenary session in Strasbourg.