Publish: 22:23, 24 Oct, 2024

Venezuelan pro-democracy figures win EU's Sakharov Prize

Online Desk
Venezuelan pro-democracy figures win EU's Sakharov Prize

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Thursday announced Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela's leading pro-democracy figure, and the country's widely recognized President-elect Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia, as the winners of this year's Sakharov prize.

The parliament recognized them as "representing all Venezuelans inside and outside the country fighting to restore freedom and democracy," reports DW. 

EU recognizes 'struggle' against Maduro 

Machado had been running as the democratic opposition candidate in Venezuela's 2024 presidential election but was disqualified by the government. Gonzalez took her place and is widely held to have won the July 28 presidential election by a wide margin against Venezuela's authoritarian incumbent president, Nicolas Maduro, who maintains that he won.

Machado went into hiding, fearing for her life, while a Venezuelan court issued an arrest warrant for Gonzalez, who fled to Spain and was granted asylum.

"Edmundo and Maria have continued to fight for the free, fair, and peaceful transition of power and have fearlessly upheld those values that millions of Venezuelans and this parliament hold so dear; justice, democracy, and the rule of law," said Metsola. 

"This parliament stands with the people of Venezuela and with Maria and Edmundo and their struggle for the democratic future of their country. This award is for them and we are confident that Venezuela and democracy will ultimately prevail."

Who were the other contenders?

The pair were among three finalists that also included Azerbaijan anti-corruption activist and academic Gubad Ibadoghlu and the two groups "Women Wage Peace" and "Women of the Sun," from Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The award pays tribute to individuals deemed to have made outstanding contributions to protecting human rights or freedom of thought.

Past recipients include former South African President Nelson Mandela and late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Last year's winner was Iranian Jina Mahsa Amini whose death in custody triggered widespread protests that shared the award under the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom."

Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque

 

More News
Iran issues warning of severe retaliation against Israel after airstrikes
Iran issues warning of severe retaliation against Israel after airstrikes
Russia begins nuclear drill as West Plans Response
Russia begins nuclear drill as West Plans Response
Half of Americans fear of weaker democracy no matter who wins the election
Half of Americans fear of weaker democracy no matter who wins the election
Israeli couple arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran
Israeli couple arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran
Philippines makes companies pay to tackle plastic scourge
Philippines makes companies pay to tackle plastic scourge
Flashfloods in Spain kill at least 95
Flashfloods in Spain kill at least 95
Musk ordered to appear in court following $1m election giveaway
Musk ordered to appear in court following $1m election giveaway
Indian Americans hope for Bollywood-type happy ending for Kamala Harris
Indian Americans hope for Bollywood-type happy ending for Kamala Harris
Protesters face bullets for political change in Mozambique
Protesters face bullets for political change in Mozambique
Cousin marriage ban in South Korea poised to lose effect
Cousin marriage ban in South Korea poised to lose effect
Houthi’s hypersonic ballistic missile hits target in Israel
Houthi’s hypersonic ballistic missile hits target in Israel
Papua New Guinea to boycott ‘waste of time’ UN climate summit
Papua New Guinea to boycott ‘waste of time’ UN climate summit
Latest News
Lewis cuts loose as West Indies beat England by 8 wickets in the rain-affected 1st ODI
Lewis cuts loose as West Indies beat England by 8 wickets in the rain-affected 1st ODI

3 minutes ago | Sports

Industrial Security Task Force ensuring stability, safety in key industrial hubs: ISPR
Industrial Security Task Force ensuring stability, safety in key industrial hubs: ISPR

11 minutes ago | National

Dhaka's air continues to be ‘unhealthy’
Dhaka's air continues to be ‘unhealthy’

19 minutes ago | National

Jatiya Party calls urgent press conference
Jatiya Party calls urgent press conference

1 hour ago | National

Iran issues warning of severe retaliation against Israel after airstrikes
Iran issues warning of severe retaliation against Israel after airstrikes

1 hour ago | International

Ex-minister Obaidul Muktadir arrested
Ex-minister Obaidul Muktadir arrested

2 hours ago | National

Russia begins nuclear drill as West Plans Response
Russia begins nuclear drill as West Plans Response

3 hours ago | International

Half of Americans fear of weaker democracy no matter who wins the election
Half of Americans fear of weaker democracy no matter who wins the election

3 hours ago | International

US Secret Service to train Bangladeshi officials in combating money laundering and terror financing
US Secret Service to train Bangladeshi officials in combating money laundering and terror financing

3 hours ago | National

Anti-discrimination Students Movement announces to seal Jatiya Party office
Anti-discrimination Students Movement announces to seal Jatiya Party office

13 hours ago | City

Need to hold polls quickly as only elected govt can make visible changes: Fakhrul
Need to hold polls quickly as only elected govt can make visible changes: Fakhrul

14 hours ago | National

Law Adviser to perform Speaker's administrative, financial responsibilities
Law Adviser to perform Speaker's administrative, financial responsibilities

14 hours ago | National

Government raises BCS exam attempt limit to four
Government raises BCS exam attempt limit to four

15 hours ago | National

Students, protesting people set Jatiya Party’s central office on fire
Students, protesting people set Jatiya Party’s central office on fire

15 hours ago | National

Dengue takes 7 more live in 24 hrs
Dengue takes 7 more live in 24 hrs

15 hours ago | National

Salary issue of women's football team to be resolved soon: Press Secretary
Salary issue of women's football team to be resolved soon: Press Secretary

16 hours ago | Sports

US to help Bangladesh recover stolen money: Envoy
US to help Bangladesh recover stolen money: Envoy

16 hours ago | National

Eminent actor Masud Ali Khan no more
Eminent actor Masud Ali Khan no more

16 hours ago | Showbiz

Veet celebrates 20 Years of journey with "Agiye Jao Attobisshashey” campaign
Veet celebrates 20 Years of journey with "Agiye Jao Attobisshashey” campaign

17 hours ago | Showbiz

Halloween returns to Toggi Fun World with 'Spooktacular Soiree 3.0'
Halloween returns to Toggi Fun World with 'Spooktacular Soiree 3.0'

17 hours ago | City

SAFF Women’s Champions greeted with open-roof bus procession in city
SAFF Women’s Champions greeted with open-roof bus procession in city

18 hours ago | Sports

Israeli couple arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran
Israeli couple arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran

19 hours ago | International

BCB announces to reward SAFF champions Bangladeshi girls
BCB announces to reward SAFF champions Bangladeshi girls

19 hours ago | Sports

52 more Bangladeshis leave Lebanon for Dhaka
52 more Bangladeshis leave Lebanon for Dhaka

19 hours ago | National

Hasina govt took unplanned high-cost dev projects in power-energy sector: Adviser Fouzul
Hasina govt took unplanned high-cost dev projects in power-energy sector: Adviser Fouzul

19 hours ago | National

No desire to form political party, Yunus tells FT
No desire to form political party, Yunus tells FT

20 hours ago | National

SAFF Champions return home
SAFF Champions return home

20 hours ago | Sports

Philippines makes companies pay to tackle plastic scourge
Philippines makes companies pay to tackle plastic scourge

20 hours ago | International

Nvidia's Osaki: Humanoid AI and robotics market set for major growth
Nvidia's Osaki: Humanoid AI and robotics market set for major growth

20 hours ago | Tech

Flashfloods in Spain kill at least 95
Flashfloods in Spain kill at least 95

20 hours ago | International

Most Read
Flood victims in remote areas get food aid
Flood victims in remote areas get food aid

1 month ago | National

Bashundhara Group urges govt to stop propaganda to safeguard millions’ livelihoods
Bashundhara Group urges govt to stop propaganda to safeguard millions’ livelihoods

4 weeks ago | National

Nowfel and Liton: Duo in looting Tk 5,000 crore through fake cigarettes, band rolls
Nowfel and Liton: Duo in looting Tk 5,000 crore through fake cigarettes, band rolls

3 weeks ago | Special

Porimoni announces exciting news
Porimoni announces exciting news

1 week ago | Showbiz

Pori Moni’s film campaign in Kolkata’s puja mandap
Pori Moni’s film campaign in Kolkata’s puja mandap

2 weeks ago | Showbiz

Facebook turns 20: From Zuckerberg's dormitory to a $1tn company
Facebook turns 20: From Zuckerberg's dormitory to a $1tn company

8 months ago | Feature

Agarwala’s Diamond World evades Tk25,200cr in VAT
Agarwala’s Diamond World evades Tk25,200cr in VAT

2 months ago | National

What's behind China's gold-buying spree?
What's behind China's gold-buying spree?

6 months ago | Feature

Tasty drinks to boost kids' immunity in winter
Tasty drinks to boost kids' immunity in winter

9 months ago | Lifestyle

Prince Harry, Britney Spears’ memoirs shortlisted for British Book Awards
Prince Harry, Britney Spears’ memoirs shortlisted for British Book Awards

7 months ago | Lifestyle

Russell's Viper: Myths, Facts, and Everything You Need to Know
Russell's Viper: Myths, Facts, and Everything You Need to Know

4 months ago | Feature

Concerns mount over looted weapons
Concerns mount over looted weapons

2 months ago | Special

Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old man tagged as Trump Shooter
Who was Thomas Matthew Crooks, the 20-year-old man tagged as Trump Shooter

3 months ago | International

English Speaking Clubs in Bangladeshi Schools: A Path to Global Competence
English Speaking Clubs in Bangladeshi Schools: A Path to Global Competence

7 months ago | Reader column

Pakistan takes on Sri Lanka in Asia Cup final
Pakistan takes on Sri Lanka in Asia Cup final

2 years ago | Sports

Bangladesh to play two T20s against UAE
Bangladesh to play two T20s against UAE

2 years ago | Sports

Woman held with 20 gold bars in Chuadanga
Woman held with 20 gold bars in Chuadanga

1 year ago | National

World's rarest whale washes up on New Zealand beach
World's rarest whale washes up on New Zealand beach

3 months ago | Feature

Newly appointed Indian HC Pranay Kumar arrives in Dhaka
Newly appointed Indian HC Pranay Kumar arrives in Dhaka

2 years ago | National

Some skills to learn before going to study abroad
Some skills to learn before going to study abroad

9 months ago | Lifestyle

Factors that influence ADHD symptoms
Factors that influence ADHD symptoms

3 months ago | Lifestyle

Coconut for summer skin and hair care
Coconut for summer skin and hair care

3 months ago | Lifestyle

Study reveals changing attitudes of Bangladeshis towards Rohingya refugees
Study reveals changing attitudes of Bangladeshis towards Rohingya refugees

5 months ago | Feature

Sajia Tonny's 'Style with Me by Sajia' becomes popular in social media
Sajia Tonny's 'Style with Me by Sajia' becomes popular in social media

4 months ago | Lifestyle

Exploring Ratargul Swamp Forest: A Comprehensive Travel Guide to the “Amazon of Bangladesh”
Exploring Ratargul Swamp Forest: A Comprehensive Travel Guide to the “Amazon of Bangladesh”

5 months ago | Feature

Pentagon ran secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China during pandemic
Pentagon ran secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China during pandemic

4 months ago | Feature

King Charles III celebrates 75th birthday
King Charles III celebrates 75th birthday

11 months ago | Lifestyle

Dhakaiaa Jamdani revolutionizing fashion in Bangladesh
Dhakaiaa Jamdani revolutionizing fashion in Bangladesh

4 months ago | Lifestyle

Aquaculture production overtakes capture fisheries for first time
Aquaculture production overtakes capture fisheries for first time

4 months ago | Feature

Real Madrid down Juventus 2-0 in friendly
Real Madrid down Juventus 2-0 in friendly

2 years ago | Sports