BRUSSELS:

Two Iraqi women who once were captives of Islamic State, a leader of the Crimean Tatars and a former Turkish newspaper editor have been named finalists for the European Union’s Sakharov human rights prize.

The shortlist for the prize, to be awarded Oct 27, was agreed upon Tuesday by the European Parliament’s foreign affairs and development commissions.

The award, named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honor individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. Last year’s winner was Saudi blogger Raif Badawi.