The winners of the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought are María Corina Machado, as leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia, representing all Venezuelans inside and outside the country fighting to restore freedom and democracy.
Dear colleagues,
It is my privilege to announce that the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to María Corina Machado, leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia, representing all Venezuelans inside and outside the country fighting to restore freedom and democracy.
Edmundo and María have continued to fight for the fair, free and peaceful transition of power and have fearlessly upheld those values that millions of Venezuelans and this Parliament hold so dear: justice, democracy and the rule of law. This Parliament stands with the people of Venezuela and with María and Edmundo in their struggle for the democratic future of their country. This award is for them. And we are confident that Venezuela and democracy, will ultimately prevail.
I also want to extend this House’s full-hearted support to the other Sakharov Prize finalists: the Israeli and Palestinian movements Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun, and the Azerbaijani academic and anti-corruption activist Doctor Gubad Ibadoghlu. All are bravely standing up for human rights and for freedom of thought in the face of unimaginable challenges.
I also share the tragic news that Doctor Gubad Ibadoghlu’s health condition is currently deteriorating significantly. He is being kept under house arrest following his arbitrary detainment. I take this opportunity to call on Azerbaijani authorities to drop all charges against Doctor Ibadoghlu and lift his travel ban.