10/10/2017 (Agence Europe) – The 2017 Sakharov prize finalists shortlisted by MEPs from the foreign affairs and development committees was announced by Parliament on Tuesday 10 October. The list includes the democratic opposition in Venezuela, Aura Lolita Chávez Ixcaquic, who defends the rights of indigenous people and the earth, and the Eritrean journalist, Davit Isaak. Ms Chavez was presented by the Greens/EFA group; the opposition in Venezuela, by the EPP and ALDE Group. Mr Isaak was put forward by the S&D, Cecilia Wikström and 46 other MEPs. Other candidates include Asia Bibi from Pakistan, the co-presidents of the Kurdish HDP, Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ, who were proposed by the GUE/NGL and Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, who was put forward by the EFDD. The Conference of Presidents will announce the prize winners on 26 October. The 2017 Sakharov Prize will officially be awarded on 13 December in Strasbourg. (CG)