MOSCOW, October 21 (RIA Novosti) - Congolese gynecologist Denis Mukwege was awarded on Tuesday the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2014.
"The Conference of Presidents decided unanimously to award Dr. Denis Mukwege from the Democratic Republic of Congo with the Sakharov Prize for his fight for protection especially of women," European Parliament President Martin Shulz said.
The other two nominees for this year's Sakharov Prize included the Ukrainian Euromaidan movement, represented by journalist Mustafa Nayem, musician Ruslana Lyzhychko, activist Yelyzaveta Schepetylnykova and journalist Tetiana Chornovol, and Azerbaijani human rights activist Leyla Yunus.
Shulz said that the decision to award Mukwege was not "against Euromaidan", adding that the representatives of the movement would be invited to the award ceremony in November. The parliament will also send a delegation with representatives from its political groups to Azerbaijan in order to support Leyla Yunus in her fight for democracy.
Denis Mukwege is a Congolese gynecologist, who specializes in the treatment of rape victims. In 1998, he founded the Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, in the Democratic Republic Congo. Mukwege still treats victims of sexual violence, performing surgery two days a week.
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was set up in 1988 and is awarded annually by the European Parliament to honor individuals and organizations that defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. In 2013, the prize was awarded to Pakistani campaigner for girls' education Malala Yousafzai.
