Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement are the Renew Europe Group’s nominee for the Sakharov Prize 2023

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament today designated its candidate for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2023 by proposing Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement. One year ago, Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman visiting Tehran, died after being arrested over an "inadequate" hijab and beaten by the morality police.

Mahsa has become a symbol for all the strong and courageous women of Iran, who started a protest movement under the slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” (“Woman, Life, Freedom”), fighting for civil rights for all women and for an end to oppression, discrimination, tyranny, and dictatorship. Now, 300 days after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, the morality police is back on the streets to enforce the very strict rules of the mullah's regime.

Renew Europe Group President, Stéphane Séjourné, welcomed the Group’s decision on Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement’s nomination:

“Mahsa's heartbreaking death prompted Iranian women to rise up against the repressive rules that have eroded their rights since the revolution. By proposing Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement as candidate for the Sakharov Prize 2023, Renew Europe acknowledges the courage, determination and sacrifice of all the fearless women taking the leadership of change for Iran's future, inspiring also women's rights movements in other countries from the region.”

What’s next?

- Presentation of nominees in a joint meeting of the AFET/ DEVE/ DROI Committees in Brussels (open to all MEPs), on 20 September 2023;

- Vote on three finalists in a joint meeting of the AFET/ DEVE/ DROI Committees in Brussels, on 12 October 2023;

- Decision of the Conference of Presidents on the final Laureate(s), on 19 October 2023;

- Prize award ceremony during plenary in Strasbourg, on 13 December 2023, at 12.00.