Ayse Erzan was a signer of the Peace Petition in Turkey and wrongfully indicted. She has been involved in the peace and women’s movements. Upon notice of having received the reward Dr. Erzan commented that she felt the award was not really for her, but more for the struggles of the Academics for Peace. Dr. Erzan has been actively involved in assisting academics who have been, like herself, ... Continue Reading>>
European Union Awards Sakharov Prize to Uyghur Economist Ilham Tohti
On October 24, 2019 the European Union awarded its highest human rights award to Ilham Tohti - The 2019 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Tohti advocated greater autonomy for the Uyghurs of Xinjiang and was sentenced to life in prison in 2014 on “separatism” charges. The President of the European Parliament noted that since 2017 over 1 million Uyghurs have been detained in internment camps ... Continue Reading>>
Ilham Tohti, Peaceful Advocate for Uighur Community, Wins Martin Ennals Award; also a Finalist for Sakharov Prize
Ilham Tohti, a peaceful advocate of China’s Uighur community, currently serving a life sentence in a Chinese prison, was awarded the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders by a group of human rights organizations; Tohti was also a finalist for the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The Sakharov prize is awarded annually by the European Parliament to honor individuals and ... Continue Reading>>
Raif Badawi, Saudi Blogger, is Awarded the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought
Raif Badawi, on October 29, was awarded the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Badawi is a blogger from Saudi Arabia currently serving a prison sentence for insulting Islam on his website. Related articles Jailed, flogged Saudi blogger Badawi wins EU rights prize (washingtonpost.com) Sakharov Prize: nominations for 2015 unveiled (appablog.wordpress.com) ... Continue Reading>>
Omid Kokabee, Boris Altshuler
Win APS Andrei Sakharov Prize
Omid Kokabee, a University of Texas graduate student currently imprisoned in Iran, has been awarded the American Physical Society's 2014 Andrei Sakharov Prize, which recognizes outstanding leadership and achievements of scientists in upholding human rights. Kokabee will share the honor with Dr. Boris Altshuler of the Russian Federation. The prize carries $10,000 for each winner. The APS press ... Continue Reading>>