The Belarussian Association of Journalists received the European Union’s human rights prize on 14 December for providing accurate and independent reports despite increasing intimidation and tightening government restrictions.
European Parliament President Josep Borrell presented the 2004 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the association’s chairwoman, Zhanna Litvina, at a parliament meeting France. “This prize recognises these professionals who daily risk their lives to seek out the truth,” Borrell told the assembly.
EU lawmakers gave a standing ovation to Litvina after she accepted the the award on behalf of the association, which includes more than 160 print and broadcast companies and more than 1,000 journalists.