Next steps



This year's laureate will be selected on 25 October by Parliament President Antonio Tajani and the leaders of the political groups. The prize, consisting of a certificate and €50,000 will be awarded in a ceremony in the Parliament in Strasbourg on 12 December.



Background



The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. 2018 marks 30 years since the Sakharov Prize was first conferred.



Last year the prize was given to the democratic opposition in Venezuela.