An international jury made up of 30 young people of 17 different nationalities met on videoconference from February 10 to 13, 2021 to select three nominees from 251 proposals from individuals and organizations submitted by young people around the world as part of the "Our Freedom Prize 2021" call for proposals.
The three nominees for the Freedom Prize 2021
Sonita Alizadeh, 25 years old - Afghanistan - FREEDOM PRIZE 2021
Sonita Alizadeh is a rapper who was born in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. At the age of 9, her parents planned to sell her as a bride but because of the war, her family fled to Iran and the planned marriage fell through. In Teheran, an NGO provided her with access to education and a cleaning job.
When Sonita stumbled upon a song by the rapper Eminem, it is a real breakthrough. She began writing to tell her story and to speak out against forced marriage and the plight of millions of children around the world. Her first single, “Brides for Sale” garnered worldwide attention.
Having moved to the United States, she now studies law to become a lawyer and to return to her country to defend Afghan women and children.
The nomination of Sonita Alizadeh was proposed by students from the Lycée Augustin Fresnel in Caen, the Lycée Charles de Gaulle in Caen and the Lycée Nelson Mandela in Nantes.
Agnes Chow, 24 years old - Hong Kong
Agnes Chow is one of the leading figures of the democracy movement in Hong Kong.
At the age of 17, she played a decisive role in the “Umbrella Revolution”, a movement calling for Hong Kong's Chief Executive to continue to be elected by direct universal suffrage.
In 2016, she helped to found the political party Demosistō and, two years later, ran in an election before Beijing disqualified her candidacy.
Agnes Chow is followed by 580,000 people on social media. She relentlessly recounts China’s authoritarian abuse of power in Hong Kong. Arrested in August 2020, she was sentenced to 10 months in prison for allegedly violating the national security enacted by Beijing.
The nomination of Agnes Chow was proposed by students from Lycée Alain Chartier in Bayeux, Lycée Charles de Gaulle in Caen, Lycée Nelson Mandela in Nantes and young volunteers in civic service at Unis-Cité Normandie (Rouen).
Omar Radi, 34 years old - Morocco
Omar Radi is a Moroccan investigative journalist who denounces injustice and corruption. He is interested in the relationship between power and business, human rights and social movements.
His investigations provoked a response from the Moroccan authorities. From 2016, he covered social movements in the Rif Valley, whose spokesman is heavily condemned. In March 2020, he is sentenced to 4 months in prison suspended for having criticized this decision on social media.
In July 2020, the Moroccan authorities opened several judicial investigations, alleging that he “had undermined Morocco’s national and international security”, “received foreign financial support” and “committed indecent assault and rape”. Many human rights organisations and journalists have condemned the way in which “judicial harassment” is being used to silence him.
The nomination of Omar Radi was proposed by young people from Saint-Mammès in Seine-et-Marne in free participation.
Online voting
An online vote makes it possible to choose the laureate of the Freedom Prize 2021 among the three nominees selected by the international panel of judges.
This vote was open from March 15 to April 25, 2021 to young people aged 15 to 25 from all over the world.
Discover the winner of the 2021 Freedom Prize!
• Rules of the Prix Liberté 2020 - Terms and conditions of participation
