Laureaten Sacharovprijs nemen deel aan debat in Vilnius (en)

On 6 December, prominent human rights defenders will visit Vilnius. During the event, dedicated to the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought awarded by the European Parliament, they will participate in debates about the global human rights situation, emerging challenges, and share their experience with academics and politicians.

Among the prominent guests is Aliaksandr Milinkevich, one of the Belarusian opposition leaders, and Berta Soler, the leader of the Cuban dissident group Ladies in White.

"Despite the Sakharov Prize having been established in 1988, before the end of the Cold War, Andrei Sakharov's life and ideas are still a source of inspiration for millions of people around the world. And even after the fall of the Iron Curtain, the world needs leaders who defend the freedom of the human mind. Today, the European Union attaches great importance to the human rights situation in the world, and seeks to show that these common values that unite Europe, are universal values," said Deputy Foreign Minister Vytautas Leškevičius who will participate in the event.

Participants of the debates in Vilnius will also be MEPS, representatives of international human rights organizations, and the academic community. The event will be presented by MEP Prof. Leonidas Donskis i, who will give the introductory speech: "Human rights versus real politics: how to remain faithful to Sakharov’s values?"

The Sakharov Prize is awarded to individuals or groups for their activities defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. This year was the silver anniversary of awarding the prize. It is awarded to Pakistani teenager Malalai Yousafzai.

The event is organized in cooperation with the Human Rights Unit of the EP, the Office of MEP Prof. L. Donskis and the EP Information Office in Lithuania.

The event at European House is open to the media. Journalists wanting to attend are invited to register at epvilnius@europarl.europa.eu.