Brussels, 24/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - The president of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, proposed, on Wednesday 23 November, the creation of a network of Sakharov prize-winners as a “platform to exchange ideas and experiences, and to learn from each other”. “We must continue to keep in touch with all our laureates and build further on your engagement and expertise - this is an invaluable resource”, he said, addressing the various prize-winners meeting in Brussels. He explained that the Parliament feels responsible towards the prize-winners as “more than ever, human rights and democracy promotion have to be the core pillars of our external action. This is the value added of our common foreign policy, making it more than just the sum of our national interests.”
The idea of setting up a network of Sakharov prize-winners is a small step, but it is a hope, said Sergei Kovalev of the Russian association, Memorial, who won the prize in 2009. In his view, the network should meet once or twice a year and, he added, a “permanent structure” should be set in place.
Each year, the European Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize to honour individuals or organisations for their efforts made on behalf of human rights and democracy. (CG/transl.jl)