The 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to Venezuela's María Corina Machado and President-Elect Edmundo González Urrutia. In her address during the award ceremony, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said that this award is not just a recognition but also a reminder that the fight for freedom is never in vain.
Dear colleagues,
Today we honour the Laureates of the 2024 Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought: María Corina Machado and President-Elect Edmundo González Urrutia. This prize is for you. In recognition of your tireless efforts to restore freedom and democracy in Venezuela and ensure a fair, free and peaceful transition of power. Risking everything for the values that millions of Venezuelans and this Parliament hold so dear: justice, democracy and the rule of law.
My heartfelt congratulations to you both. Thank you for being with us today.
I know there are also many Venezuelans joining us today in the visitor’s gallery. Let me speak directly to you: this Parliament stands with you, the Venezuelan people, in your struggle for democracy. Thank you for being here.
Mr. González Urrutia, this House supports you as the democratic leader of Venezuela. We condemn the Maduro regime for the many brutal and cruel attempts to silence the democratic voices of millions of Venezuelans. We condemn the issuing of an arrest warrant for the President-Elect. And we condemn the illegal imprisonment of thousands of political prisoners in inhumane conditions. We call for these prisoners to be released.
The iron fist of Maduro cannot crush the spirit and the voices of the Venezuelan people who are marching on the streets to demand democracy and justice. This is the very essence of freedom of thought. And we see this freedom also in this year’s other Sakharov Prize finalists and their representatives who join us today in the visitors' gallery.
I welcome Pascale Chen and Reem Al Hajajra from the Israeli and Palestinian Peace Organisations Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun. These feminist, pacifist, non-partisan movements unite Israeli and Palestinian women to call for peace and spread hope. This Parliament shares your noble goals.
I welcome Zhala Bayramova, the daughter of Azerbaijani anti-corruption activist Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu. Dr. Ibadoghlu’s health is deteriorating following his arbitrary and unjust detainment under house arrest. I take this opportunity to call on Azerbaijani authorities to drop all charges against Dr. Ibadoghlu, lift the travel ban and give him the care he urgently needs.
This European Parliament thanks you and stands with you in solidarity for a world where freedom and equality are not just ideals but realities for us all.
María Corina Machado and President-Elect Edmundo González Urrutia, your courage and your dedication to the cause of Venezuelan democracy is in equal parts inspiring and galvanising.
Your efforts remind us that it is up to every one of us to fight for democracy. Because freedom must and will prevail. Everywhere. Always.
You can read the President's speech in Spanish here.