Yazidi Women Win EU Human-Rights Prize

The European Union’s Sakharov Prize for human rights has been awarded to two Yazidi woman who became advocates for their people after escaping enslavement by the Islamic State terror group. The winners, Nadia Murad Basee and Lamiya Aji Ashar, were announced Thursday. Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Guy Verhofstadt, called the women “inspirational” and said they have “shown incredible bravery and humanity in the face of despicable brutality.” He added, “I am proud that they have been awarded the 2016 Sakharov Prize.” A former Turkish newspaper editor was also a finalist for the prize, which is named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov. It honors anyone who defends fundamental freedoms and human rights. Renowned shooting-survivor, Pakistani schoolgirl, and author Malala Yousafzai won the prize in 2013.