Strasbourg, 22/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - The Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought was awarded unanimously on Thursday 22 October to the Russian human rights organisation, Memorial. Announcing the decision taken by the conference of presidents of political groups at the EP, the president of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, hoped that, with this prize, “we may contribute to eliminating fear and violence suffered by those defending human rights”. “Truth and freedom will win in the end”, he said, adding that this must be true in Russia as it was finally in Eastern Europe. He pointed out that the Sakharov Prize had been created 20 years ago to promote a universal value - freedom of expression. Although there is just one winner, “all the other candidates are in our thoughts today”, President Buzek said. The 2009 prize will be awarded on 16 December during a solemn session in Strasbourg. (O.J./transl.jl)