Sexual slavery survivors win 50,000-euro

Nadia-Murad

Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar, who survived sexual enslavement by Islamic State, have been awarded the 50,000-euro (54,500-dollar), Sakharov Prize for Freedom, European Union’s top prize for human rights.

EU Lawmaker, Guy Verhofstadt on Thursday in Strasbourg (France) described them as “brave Yazidi women who escaped captivity by Daesh,” using an alternative name for the extremist group.

The lawmaker said both women come from the Iraqi village of Kocho that was overrun by the extremists in August 2014.

“Islamic State used sex slaves as prizes for its fighters and actively encouraged rape.

“The Yezidi religious minority was particularly singled out for persecution, as the extremist group sees them as infidels,’’ he said.

Verhofstadt said the two women, who now live in Germany, campaign for the thousands of Yezidi girls and women forced into sex slavery by the extremist group.

The 50,000-euro (54,500-dollar) Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, has been handed out since 1988.

The award, named after Soviet dissident, Andrei Sakharov, honours people who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Previous recipients include former South African President, Nelson Mandela, and Myanmar opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.

Last year’s prize went to Raif Badawi, a Saudi blogger, who was jailed and lashed after being found guilty of insulting Islam.

The award ceremony is to take place on Dec. 14.

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