The Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize, which honors outstanding civil society actions in the field of human rights, has been awarded to Ukrainian journalist and human rights defender Maksim Butkevich.
The Ukrainian journalist was awarded the prize at a special ceremony in Strasbourg on the opening day of the autumn plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
The two runners-up for the 2025 Prize are Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli and Azerbaijani journalist Ulvi Hasanli. As both of them are currently detained in their home countries, their representatives – Ms Amaghlobeli’s lawyer and Mr Hasanli’s wife – each received diplomas on their behalf at today’s award ceremony, the Council of Europe says in a press release.
Mzia Amaglobeli’s lawyer, Maia Mtsariashvili, read out Mzia Amaglobeli’s message.
“On the path of freedom and democracy, I rarely considered anything impossible, but it is extremely emotional to see my name among the nominees for the Havel Award,” the letter states.
Amaglobeli emphasizes that she has always been impressed and inspired by those Azerbaijani journalists who, despite persecution, remained in their homeland and continued their professional activities.
“I deeply respect the courage of Ulvi Hasanli. To this day, my social media cover reads – “Be brave like Ukraine.” I want to tell Maksim Butkevich that I sincerely believe in Ukraine’s victory. This recognition is not just mine. I accept it on behalf of my colleagues, on behalf of those journalists who work in independent critical media. Being a journalist in Georgia today means self-sacrifice. My colleagues are being persecuted, blackmailed, harassed, and physically abused,” reads Mzia Amaglobeli’s letter.
The journalist claims that the one-party Georgian Dream parliament hastily approved “Russian laws,” effectively banning freedom of speech, and equating attracting grant investments and cooperation with international organizations with treason – just like in Russia.
“The government in Georgia is seized by a regime that serves Russian interests. Today, Georgia has more than 60 political and prisoners of conscience – an actor, a poet, a teacher, a comedian, a student, a journalist, but Georgians continue to fight for a European future. For more than 300 days, the citizens of my country have been protesting in the streets without stopping, because we, Georgians, believe that the European Union is the guarantor of democratic values. We see ourselves by your side, so do not leave us alone and face to face with Russia! Support us in the fight for freedom,” reads the letter.
Mzia Amaglobeli’s letter at Vaclav Havel Prize award ceremony: Do not leave with Russia, support us in the fight for freedom!
