The two Mayors were awarded the prize for assisting “fellow human beings fleeing from war, terror, and misery”
Greek, Italian mayors share Palme Prize for assisting migrants
Two mayors in Greece and Italy were Monday named co-winners of the 2016 Olof Palme Prize for their “inspiring leadership” in assisting “fellow human beings fleeing from war, terror, and misery.”
Spyridon Galinos, mayor of the Greek island of Lesbos, and Giusi Nicolini, mayor of Lampedusa and Linosa, and the islanders have contributed to “having saved thousands of lives and given hope and belief in the future,” the jury said.
Lesbos is one of the Greek islands that has been a common destination for migrants from war-torn Syria and other countries seeking to enter the European Union over the sea from Turkey, while Lampedusa has received thousands trying to reach Europe from North Africa, mainly Libya.
Along with the citizens of their islands, the two mayors have “stressed the humanistic imperative that it is more important to protect people than borders,” the citation read.
Nicolini was elected mayor in 2012. Lampedusa and Linosa have about 6,500 inhabitants.
Galinos has been mayor of Lesbos since 2014.
The duo were to share the prize worth 100,000 dollars that was created in 1987 in memory of late Swedish prime minister Olof Palme, who was slain in 1986.
The award ceremony is scheduled for January 30 in Stockholm.
Previous recipients include Congolese physician Denis Mukwege, former Czech president and dissident Vaclav Havel, Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Amnesty International.
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