Sakharov Prize

News:The European Union(EU) Parliament has awarded the Sakharov Prize for Human Rights to Uighur intellectual Ilham Tohti.

Facts:

About Sakharov Prize:

  • The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is an annual award given by the European Parliament.
  • It is bestowed on individuals or organisations who have dedicated their lives to the defence of human rights and freedom of thought.
  • It was established in 1988 and named after Soviet scientist (physicist) and dissident Andrei Sakharov.
  • The first prize was jointly awarded to South African Nelson Mandela and Russian human rights campaigner Anatoly Marchenko.