Brussels, 27/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - Last week the European Parliament's sub-committee on human rights presented the list of Sakharov prize candidates for 2004. Eleven candidates figure on the starting line, a figure that is higher than the number of political groups, as a candidate can also be presented by twenty five MEPs.
Ingrid Bétancourt: candidate for the presidential election in hr country, Colombia, the MP was taken hostage by the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces (FARC) in February 2002. This candidacy was presented by the PES group.
Reporters sans frontières: journalists' defence associations, which has denounced violations against freedom of the press in the world. En 2003, 42 media professionals have died while working as journalists. Currently more than 130 journalists are imprisoned in the world. The candidacy was presented by the ALDE group.
Natlya Estemirova: this half Czech and half Russian militant has denounced human rights violations and is calling for a settlement to the conflict in Chechnya. Presented by the Greens/EFA group.
Enzo Baldini, Rachel Corrie and Leonid Roshol: journalists and human rights activists, Enzo Baldini was killed in Iraq on 29 August 2004. The pacifist working for the Palestinian people, Rachel Corrie was killed on 16 March 2003. Paediatrics specialists Leonid Roshol was the founder of the "First Aid Brigade", an NGO that helps child victims of terrorist attacks throughout the world. Presented by the GUE/NGL.
Alexander Yessenin-Volpin: this close associate of Andrei Sakharov is considers as one of the spiritual fathers of the dissident Soviet movement. His candidacy was put forward by the Independence and Democracy group.
Angelica Edna Calo Livné and Samar Sahhar: activists from Israel and Palestine respectively, who contributed to the launch of many educational and cultural projects against violence. Presented by Mario Mauro (EPP-ED, Italy) and other signatories.
Sergey Kovalev: former Soviet prisoner aged 74, and still active in the promotion and defence of human rights. Presented by Vytautaas Landbergis (EPP-ED, Lithuania) and others.
Ibrahim Hussain Zaki: political prisoner in the Republic of the Maldives, arrested on 13 August 2004 in the company of other MPs. He advocates non-violence and democratic reforms. Presented by British Conservative Niranja Deva and others.
Belarus Association of journalists: association fighting for freedom of expression in Belarus and provides legal aid to journalists. Presented by Michael Gahler (EPP-ED, Germany) and others.
Zubre Movement: organisation of Belarus Youth who is working for democracy and fundamental rights. Although it advocates non-violence, 1500 of its militants have been suffering repression since its creation in January 2001. Candidacy presented by Rolandas Pavilionis (UEN, Lithuania) and other signatories.
Vaclav Havel: major intellectual figure, arrested on several occasions before become, president of Czechoslovakia after the Velvet Revolution. Presented by Jana Bobosikova (Czech, non-attached) and others.
On 5 October, the foreign affairs committee will select three candidates from the eleven on the list. This list will be sent to the Conference of Presidents from the political groups that will choose the winner. The Sakharov Prize will be awarded in Strasbourg on 14 December.