The 2023 Sakharov Prize was awarded this Thursday, October 19 to Mahsa Amini and Iranian women and their fight for freedom. This award, announced in the hemicycle in Strasbourg by President Roberta Metsola, is the highest distinction of the European Union (EU) for human rights.
On September 13, 2022, Mahsa Amini was arrested by the morality police in Tehran. For what ? Because she did not respect the clothing rules imposed on Iranian women: her hair protruded from her veil. According to one of the young woman’s cousins, she was beaten by the police during her arrest and received a violent blow to the head. Three days later, on September 16, his death was announced. Mahsa Amini’s family files a complaint because they consider that the police are responsible for the death.
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is a prestigious distinction awarded by the European Union since 1988. It aims to honor and support individuals, groups and organizations who have made an exceptional contribution to the defense of freedom of thought and human rights. It promotes values such as freedom of expression, minority rights, respect for international law, democracy and the rule of law. The Sakharov Prize has a financial reward of 50,000 euros and is awarded during an official plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg at the end of each year.
This article is originally published on .rtbf.be
