The European Parliament awards the 2022 Sakharov Prize at midday to the “ brave ukrainian people », chosen this year by MEPs, represented by its president, its elected leaders and several actors from civil society. Some have traveled from Ukraine to attend the award ceremony to be held in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
With our special correspondent in Strasbourg, Wyloen Munhoz-Boillot
Each year, the Sakharov Prize distinguishes those who fight for fundamental freedoms and human rights, key values of the European Union. It is awarded this year to the courageous ukrainian people “.
At the beginning of March, Ivan Fedorov, mayor of Melitopol, a Ukrainian city occupied by Russian forces, was kidnapped and held captive for several days, after refusing to cooperate.
” That didn’t stop thousands of Melitopol residents from gathering in the city center shouting at the Russians “We don’t need you, leave“. And several school principals in the city refused to relay Russian propaganda », he describes.
” 30% of the country is still mined »
Like them, Oleg Chekryhin, too, contributes to the national effort in his own way. He is a member of the Ukrainian state civil protection services and intervenes in particular in areas liberated from Russian forces. ” 30% of the country is still mined by explosives. So when the cities are liberated, we try to demine them before the civilians return. “, he says.
Once cleared, other civil society actors, such as Oleksandra Matviychouk, take over. With her organization, this human rights lawyer is investigating Russian atrocities. ” We document the rapes, torturekidnappings and other war crimes so that the Russians who committed them are brought to justice “, she explains.
By awarding them the Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament wishes to pay tribute to all these Ukrainians who, through their actions and their courage, defend not only their territory, but also European values.
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