Dialogue Platform, together with other civil society organisations, was at the European Parliament in Strasbourg between 15-17 December to participate in the Award Ceremony of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The event convened Sakharov Prize laureates and finalists, Members of the European Parliament, and representatives of civil society to exchange views on shared values and collective strategies for advancing democracy, peacebuilding, and human rights worldwide.
The Sakharov Prize, awarded annually by the European Parliament, recognises individuals and groups who have shown courage and dedication in defending human rights and freedom of thought. During the 2025 ceremony, the European Parliament honoured two imprisoned journalists as laureates of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought: Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli. The prize was formally awarded on 16 December in Strasbourg.
Sakharov Prize Laureates
Andrzej Poczobut is a journalist, essayist, blogger, and activist from the Polish minority in Belarus. Renowned for his outspoken criticism of the Lukashenka regime and his work on history and human rights, he has been arrested repeatedly over the years. Detained since 2021, Poczobut was sentenced to eight years in a penal colony. His health has reportedly deteriorated significantly, yet he continues to be denied adequate medical care. His current condition remains unknown, and his family has not been granted visitation rights.
Mzia Amaglobeli is a Georgian journalist and the founder and director of the independent online media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. She was arrested in January 2025 for participating in anti-government protests and, in August, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on politically motivated charges. The first female political prisoner in Georgia since the country’s independence, Amaglobeli has become a prominent symbol of resistance and a leading figure in the pro-democracy movement following the contested October 2024 elections and the consolidation of power by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
Announcing the laureates in the European Parliament’s hemicycle, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, stated:
“By awarding this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia, we honour two journalists whose courage shines as a beacon for all who refuse to be silenced. Both have paid a heavy price for speaking truth to power, becoming symbols of the struggle for freedom and democracy. The Parliament stands with them, and with all those who continue to demand freedom.”
Engagement with Civil Society
Following the award ceremony, civil society representatives, including Dialogue Platform, took part in a series of panel discussions with Sakharov Prize finalists and human rights defenders.
The programme opened with welcoming remarks from Philipp Schulmeister, Director for Outreach at the European Parliament, who noted:
“The Sakharov Prize exists to amplify the voices of human rights defenders, those who speak out when silence is easier and who stand firm when freedom is under threat.”
Opening remarks were also delivered by Katarina Barley, Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for relations with European civil society organisations, who stressed that independent journalism and civil society are more essential than ever in the face of growing authoritarianism.
Panel I: Frontlines of Humanity
The first panel, Frontlines of Humanity, focused on the experiences of journalists and humanitarian workers operating in conflict zones. Speakers included Nasser Abu Bakr, President of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate; Dr Younis Al-Khatib, President of the Palestine Red Crescent Society; and Marc Lassouaoui, Senior Manager for Outreach Europe at UNRWA.
Addressing the risks faced by journalists, Nasser Abu Bakr stated:
“In just 750 days, 256 journalists have been killed in Palestine, an average of one journalist every three days. This figure exceeds the number of journalists killed during the First and Second World Wars combined.”
Panel II: Standing for the Truth
The second panel centred on youth activism and democratic resistance, featuring Serbian students who have played a leading role in recent anti-corruption protests. The discussion brought together Nicolae Ștefănuță, Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for Human Rights, the Rule of Law, Democracy Support, and Relations with European civil society, alongside Ljiljana Borović and Aleksandar Kavčić, professor and civil society advocate.
Emphasising the importance of youth engagement, Ștefănuță remarked:
“Generation Z is different. You communicate with one another in new ways, and you are a special generation. We in the European Parliament see you, hear you, and we understand what is happening in your country.”
Panel III: Imprisoned Journalists and featured representatives of the Sakharov Prize laureate
The final panel was dedicated to the situation of imprisoned journalists and featured representatives of the Sakharov Prize laureates. Jana Poczobut, daughter of Andrzej Poczobut, spoke alongside Anna Kietlińska, President of the Podlaskie branch of the Polish Community Association, and Robert Tyszkiewicz, former member of the Polish Sejm and long-standing advocate for minority rights.
Representing Mzia Amaglobeli were Irma Dimitradze, Hatia Jinjikhadze, and Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, who addressed Amaglobeli’s case and the broader deterioration of media freedom and judicial independence in Georgia.
Conclusion
The event concluded with closing remarks from Sophie Wilmès, Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for the Sakharov Prize community.
For Dialogue Platform, participation in the Sakharov Prize Award Ceremony was a deeply valuable experience. The event reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to justice, equality, and the protection of fundamental rights.
Dialogue Platform also engaged directly with Members of the European Parliament, conducting several interviews that provided valuable insights into the significance of the Sakharov Prize and the European Union’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights. The interviews are available on our Instagram account and on Youtube.
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