STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Honoring the courage and unwavering defiance of Venezuelan opposition figures Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia, the European Union’s legislature came together on Tuesday to bestow upon them the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Human Rights. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola lauded their relentless dedication to the cause of freedom and democracy in Venezuela, commending their steadfast efforts towards a just, peaceful transition of power in the face of immense risks. Machado, originally slated to challenge incumbent president Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela’s recent election, was unjustly disqualified by the government, prompting González to step into the fray despite his lack of prior political experience. The lead-up to the election was marred by widespread repression, with authorities resorting to disqualifications, arrests, and grave human rights abuses. Machado, fearing for her safety, went into hiding, while González, facing an arrest warrant, sought refuge in Spain where he was granted asylum, underscoring the oppressive environment within Venezuela under Maduro’s regime.
In addressing the EU legislators, González highlighted the grave threats posed by a government that had systematically eroded human rights, democratic institutions, and freedoms in Venezuela, signaling the urgent need for international solidarity and support. The controversial outcome of the election, contested by independent observers including the United Nations, led the EU parliament to officially recognize González as the legitimate president of Venezuela in a recent resolution, underscoring the international community’s stance against the authoritarian practices of Maduro’s government.
Named in honor of the renowned Soviet dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, the Sakharov Prize for Human Rights was established in 1988 to honor individuals or groups who champion human rights and fundamental freedoms. Recipients of this prestigious award are selected by senior EU lawmakers from a pool of nominees put forth by the European Parliament’s diverse political factions, symbolizing the highest form of recognition bestowed by the European Union in acknowledgment of exemplary human rights advocacy. Past laureates of the Sakharov Prize, such as Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Denis Mukwege, and Nadia Murad, have subsequently gone on to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, underscoring the profound impact and significance of this esteemed accolade within the global human rights community.
Reflecting on the historical legacy carried by the Sakharov Prize, González expressed gratitude for the recognition bestowed upon him and Machado, emphasizing the symbolic weight of the award in the ongoing struggle for human rights and democracy in Venezuela. With an accompanying endowment of 50,000 euros ($54,000), the annual Sakharov Prize serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring commitment to upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms in the face of adversity and oppression, embodying the spirit of solidarity and resilience that defines the struggle for justice and dignity worldwide.
