BRUSSELS, Belgium
The EPP Group has nominated lawyer, human rights activist and politician Mr Tundu Lissu as a candidate for the Sakharov Prize.
After surviving a 16 bullets assassination attempt in 2027, Lissu returned to Tanzania to continue advocating democratic reform, only to face arrest, treason charges and exclusion from the 2025 presidential election, while his party was barred from participating.
His case reflects the wider erosion of democratic pluralism and political competition in Tanzania.
For the EPP Group, the vibrant politician represents a powerful combination of personal courage, democratic conviction and geopolitical relevance.
His nomination affirms that Europe stands with those defending constitutional democracy and political freedom in Africa and in other partner countries of the EU.
Lissu embodies the defence of democracy, political pluralism, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms at extraordinary personal cost.
The EPP Group is the largest and oldest center-right political group in the European Parliament.
Founded in June 1953 as a Christian-democratic group in the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community, evolving into the largest group following the 1999 European elections.
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work.
Other candidate is 'Standing Together' (Omdim Beyachad / Naqef Ma'an).
Standing together is the largest Jewish-Arab grassroots movement in Israel, founded by Alon-Lee Green and Rula Daood to build a shared front of Jewish and Palestinian citizens for peace, equality and social justice.
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