The European Chamber awards the Sakharov Prize to Mahsa Amini and the struggle of Iranian women

The European Parliament announced this Thursday the awarding of the 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Conscience to the struggle of Iranian women and the figure of Mahsa Amini.

The award, which is awarded every year by the European Parliament to recognize the defense of Human Rights, highlights the figure of the young Kurdish woman who died more than a year ago at the hands of the 'Moral Police' after being arrested for supposedly wearing the wrong clothing. the veil. This candidacy started as a great favorite as it was supported by 'popular', social democrats and liberals.

The president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, has pointed out that her "brutal" death represented a "turning point" for the pro-democracy movement in Iran, shouting "Women. Life. Freedom."

"May our award serve as a tribute to the brave women and men who, despite growing pressure, lead the fight for change in Iran," he said after announcing the award. "The European Parliament hears them and is at their side," she stressed.

The candidacy of the women's movement in Iran has surpassed in the final vote the candidacy of three activists in favor of free, safe and legal abortion: the Polish Justina Wydrzynska, the Salvadoran Morena Herrera and the American Colleen McNichols, and the defense of Human Rights in Nicaragua in the figure of Vilma Núñez de Escorcia and Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos.

The final decision has been made by the Conference of Presidents, which brings together the leaders of the political groups and the president. Traditionally, the prize winner collects the award at a ceremony during the December plenary session in Strasbourg.