The European Parliament established the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1988 to "honor individuals or organizations for their efforts on behalf of human rights and fundamental freedoms." Named after the Soviet human-rights activist Andrei Sakharov, the prize tends to go to individuals and organizations that are no less courageous than those garlanded with the Nobel Peace Prize but whose plight is often overlooked. This year's laureate will be announced on Thursday.

Past recipients include the late Czechoslovak...