Sakharov prize for human rights is European Parliament at its best

To mark this Wednesday's European Parliament conference to celebrate the institution's Sakharov prize for freedom of thought, Lib Dem MEP Sir Graham Watson said: "Concern for human dignity lies at the core of the values which created the European Union. I am delighted that this year's Sakharov prize was awarded to 5 activists from across the Arab world, including Mohamed Bouazizi, the Tunisian who set himself on fire and unknowingly provoked the Tunisian, Egyptian, Libyan, Syrian, Bahraini and Yemeni uprisings, and, in the first three countries, the overthrow of the authoritarian regime."

"The conference is about how new communications technologies can be used in the defence and promotion of human rights, and how to manage the transition to democracy, a key challenge for Europe in the coming months and years."

"The Sakharov prize, awarded once a year to individuals or organisations for their outstanding contribution to human rights and democracy, is an integral part of the European Parliament's role as a 'megaphone' or 'loudspeaker' for the defence of human rights worldwide. It is the European Parliament at its best."