The European Brain Council (EBC) attended the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought ceremony yesterday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where the 2025 award was presented to Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli and Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut. Established by the European Parliament in 1988 and named after Russian physicist and human rights advocate Andrei Sakharov, the prize recognises individuals and organisations that demonstrate extraordinary courage in defending human rights, democratic values, and freedom of expression.
The 2025 Laureates
Mzia Amaglobeli, co-founder and director of independent Georgian media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was arrested in January 2025 during anti-government protests and sentenced to two years in prison. She became the first female journalist political prisoner in independent Georgia, and her case has become symbolic of the crackdown on press freedom in the country.
Andrzej Poczobut, a journalist and advocate for the Polish minority in Belarus, has been detained since 2021 following a government crackdown. He was sentenced to eight years in a penal colony for his outspoken criticism of the Lukashenka regime and his work on minority rights and historical truth. His health has deteriorated in detention, and his family is not permitted to visit him.
Learn more about the finalists here.
Why EBC Attended
Whilst EBC’s primary mission focuses on advancing brain health research and improving the lives of people living with brain conditions, our presence at the Sakharov Prize ceremony reflects a fundamental truth: health advocacy cannot exist without human rights.
The freedom to seek medical care, to advocate for patients, to conduct research without interference, and to challenge stigma all depend on the basic freedoms that journalists like Amaglobeli and Poczobut have sacrificed their liberty to defend.
The Ceremony
The ceremony brought together representatives from civil society organisations, European Parliament officials, and advocates from across Europe to honour the laureates. Family members and representatives accepted the awards on behalf of both imprisoned journalists, with Poczobut’s daughter Jana and Amaglobeli’s colleague Irma Dimitradze among those present.
The event also recognised the finalists for this year’s prize: Palestinian journalists and humanitarian workers, and Serbian students fighting for democracy and freedom of expression.
EBC’s Commitment to Human Rights
EBC’s attendance at the Sakharov Prize ceremony reaffirms our commitment to the intersection of health and human rights. Our advocacy work for brain health exists within a broader framework of fundamental freedoms, including the right to health, the right to information, and the right to organise and advocate for change.
As we continue our mission to improve outcomes for people living with brain conditions across Europe, we recognise that this work is only possible in societies that protect freedom of thought, expression, and human dignity.
Learn more about the Sakharov Prize and the 2025 laureates here.
Watch the video from the ceremony here.