The European Parliament announced that this year's winners of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought are two Iranian activists, lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and film director Jafar Panahi. In addition, an European Parliament delegation cancelled a visit to Iran after refusal Iranian authorities to meet Sakharov Prize winners.

The European Parliament Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was awarded this year to two Iranian activists, lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and film director Jafar Panahi. Nasrin Sotoudeh is an Iranian lawyer and human rights advocate. She has represented opposition activists imprisoned following Iran's disputed June 2009 presidential elections, juveniles facing the death penalty, women and prisoners of conscience. Jafar Panahi is an Iranian film director, screenwriter and film editor. He first achieved international recognition with his film The White Balloon that won the Caméra d'Or at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival. His films often focus on the hardships faced by children, the impoverished and women in Iran. The 2012 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought finalists were announced on 10 October.

On the other hand, the Iranian authorities have refused to give permission to a delegation of five MEPs set to travel to Tehran to meet with this year's Sakharov Prize winners Nasrin Sotoudeh and Jafar Panahi, after which the delegation cancelled the visit. Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested in September 2010 on charges of spreading propaganda and conspiring to harm state security and has been held in solitary confinement. Mr Panahi was arrested in March 2010 and later sentenced to six years in jail and a 20-year ban on directing any movies or leaving the country.

In all the cases, President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz will award the prize at a formal sitting of Parliament during the December plenary session, in Strasbourg. He also stressed that he hopes they will be able to come in person to Strasbourg to the European Parliament to collect their prize.