Sakharov Network

In special memory of Sergio Vieira de Mello and the many other UN officials who have lost their lives in execution of their service for peace in the world.

In awarding the 2003 Sakharov prize to United Nations, the European Parliament gave recognition to UN action in favour of peace, human rights and fundamental freedoms and in support of democracy and the rule of law around the world.

In the era of globalisation efforts have been made under Kofi Annan’s leadership to develop the UN into a more efficient instrument for global needs: " We will continue our efforts to tackle poverty, disease, climate change, and the spread of small arms. And we will also work together to fight terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The United Nations must confront all these threats at once ".

The Sakharov Prize honours the United Nations staff who work tirelessly for world peace, often under difficult conditions. They run the risk of losing their lives and many of them have.

The Prize was awarded in special memory of Sergio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and one of the worthiest representatives of the UN agents who, while serving as Kofi Annan’s special representative in Iraq, was killed in 2003 along with other UN officials in an attack on the UN Headquarters in Baghdad.