Sakharov Prize- 2015

Sakharov prize - 2015

Ques: Raif Badawi was awarded with Sakharov Prize- 2015. He is a citizen of-

(a) United Arab Emirates
(b) Saudi Arabia
(c) Yemen
(d) Oman

Ans: b

Related facts:

  • On October 29, 2015 European Parliament announced Saudi blogger Raif Badawi for prestigious Sakharov Prize- 2015.
  • The European Parliament also supports human rights through the annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, established in 1988.
  • The prize is awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the fight for human rights across the globe, drawing attention to human rights violations as well as supporting the laureates and their cause.
  • It is notable that Raif Badawi was arrested in 2012 on a charge of insulting Islam and indicted on several charges including apostasy.
  • He was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison and 600 lashes in 2013, and then resentenced to 1,000 lashes and ten years in prison plus a fine in 2014.
  • Recently, Raif Badawi was awarded with PEN Pinter Prize in 2015.
  • The Sakharov award ceremony will be held in Strasbourg (France) on December 16, 2015.
  • Winner has been awarded with 50,000 euros prize money in Sakharov Prize.
  • In 2014, Denis Mukwege was awarded with European Union’s Sakharov Prize.

Reference:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sakharovprize/en/home/the-prize.html

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sakharovprize/en/laureates/2010-2015.html