Sakharov Prize for 2020 Awarded to Representatives of the Democratic Opposition of Belarus

European leaders expressed support for the Belarusian people.

he Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was awarded this year to representatives of the Belarusian opposition. This happened on December 16 in Brussels at a session of the European Parliament.

Speaker of the European Parliament David Sassoli, opening the ceremony, once again noted the courage of all those who protest against authoritarianism in Belarus. He declared: "Your struggle is also our struggle." The ceremony was also attended by the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

The prizes were awarded to ten people: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Sviatlana Aleksievich, Maryja Kalesnikava, Veranika Tsapkala, Siarhei Tikhanouski, member of the Presidium of the Coordination Council Volha Kavalkova, head of the deprived of registration of the human rights center Viasna Ales Bialiatski, head of the MTZ strike committee Siarhei Dyleuski, founder of the popular telegram channel NEXTA Stsiapan Putsila, politician Mikalai Statkevich.

The detained laureates were represented by their relatives: Mikalai Statkevich - by his wife Maryna Adamovich, Maria Kolesnikova - by sister Tatstsiana Khomich. Nobel laureate in literature Sviatlana Aleksievich participated in the ceremony remotely.

The Freedom of Thought Prize, named after Soviet physicist and human rights activist Andrei Sakharov, was established by the European Parliament in 1988 and is awarded to individuals or public organizations that excel in protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.