Ukrainian people receive first EU human rights award
STRASBOURG, France (AP) — The people of Ukraine and their representatives received the European Union’s top human rights award on Wednesday for their resistance to Russia’s invasion and defiance during the ongoing war.
The 27-nation bloc awarded the prize to the “brave people of Ukraine” in October. Yulia Pajevska, founder of the Angels of Taira medical evacuation unit, human rights activist Oleksandra Matviichuk and Ivan Fedorov, mayor of the occupied city of Melitopol, were on hand to receive him in a solemn ceremony in Strasbourg, France.
“We have witnessed the inspiring resistance of ordinary citizens making the ultimate sacrifice to hold off a column of tanks, elderly people rising up to confront Russian troops with nothing but pride as their weapon. Brave women forced to give birth in underground metro stations,” said European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
“For these people, the message from Europe has been clear. We stand with Ukraine. We will not look the other way,” she said.
The EU Prize, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, was established in 1988 to honor individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Sakharov died in 1989.
This is the second year in a row that EU lawmakers have used the Sakharov Prize to send a message to the Kremlin. Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny won it last year.
The defiance of Ukrainians in the nearly 10-month war has persisted despite an upsurge in attacks in recent weeks. Ukrainian forces have recaptured large swathes of the country, dealing a blow to Russia’s military prestige, since launching a counter-offensive in late August.