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Černínský palác ze západu
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Statement of the MFA on the Award of the Sakharov Prize to Oleg Sentsov

 

We welcome the decision of the European Parliament to award this year´s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov. Since 2014, the Czech Republic has followed the case of Oleg Sentsov, who has been illegally kept in Russian prison, along with tens of other citizens of Ukraine.

We have also repeatedly drawn the attention of international community to the increasingly worsening human rights and fundamental freedoms situation in the Crimean peninsula, that we consider an integral part of Ukraine.

By his conscientious moral attitude, Oleg Sentsov has gained international respect. His personal courage reminds us of the importance to advocate for human rights in the world, which is a longstanding commitment of the Czech Republic.

We strongly hope that Oleg Sentsov will be able to take part in the award ceremony in December and that Russia will release all prisoners of conscience imprisoned in connection with the illegal annexation of Crimea.

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