EP awards human rights prize to 2 Yazidi activists

BRUSSELS, Oct 27 (KUNA) -- The European Parliament announced in Strasbourg Thursday that its annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, has been awarded to Yazidi survivors and public advocates from Iraq Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar.
Announcing the award, EP President Martin Schulz said that by awarding the prize to Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar "We are demonstrating that their fight has not been in vain and that we are prepared to step up to the plate to help them in their fight against the hardship and brutality perpetrated by this so-called Islamic state to which so many people are still exposed to." "They were able to flee, to escape to Europe and find sanctuary here," he added.They are both from Kocho, one of the villages near Sinjar, Iraq.
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. The prize is accompanied by an award of 50,000 euro. The Sakharov award ceremony will be held in Strasbourg on 14 December.(end) nk.msa