Brussels, 23 January 2018

Antoine Deltour, the whistle-blower behind the LuxLeaks that exposed shady tax deals that allowed multinational companies to pay miniscule amounts of tax was today awarded the Special Jury Prize at the annual SOLIDAR Silver Rose Awards. The awards, held in the European Parliament, recognise organisations and individuals fighting for social justice in Europe and around the world.

The awards are organised in cooperation with the S&D Group by SOLIDAR, the EU network of civil society organisations to advance social justice, as part of the Europe Together initiative. #EuropeTogether is a way of bringing together citizens, politicians and civil society to develop a new vision for Europe. Starting in 2016, Europe Together events have been held across Europe on a range of topics from digitisation of society to a new social agenda for the EU. 

Alongside Antoine Deltour, former MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament Miguel Angel Martinez Martinez was given a life-time achievement award for his work to promote social justice in Spain and around the world. Other winners included L’Ecole Laïque du chemin des dunes Calais, the Soledad Cazorla Prieto Fund, the National Union of Workers Producers Co-operatives (NUWPC), and the international solidarity prize went to Trade Union Sintraimaigra, Colombia.

S&D Group Vice-President Jeppe Kofod said:

“Tonight’s awards are a celebration of people fighting for social justice across Europe. It is only through the engagement of citizens and organisations like these that we can bring real progressive change to the EU and around the world. From Europeans like Miguel Angel Martinez Martinez who stood up to fascism and dedicated his life to progressive politics to Antoine Deltour who helped shine a light on the scourge of tax evasion, all tonight’s winner are fighting to make the world a fairer place.”

Conny Reuter, SOLIDAR Secretary General added:

“At a time when the left and progressives have a tendency to divide rather than unite, the TOGETHER initiative, bringing together progressives from political parties, unions and civil society, is more needed than ever. The SOLIDAR Silver Rose awards remind us that progress is only possible through engagement based on our progressive values. Tonight’s winners stand for civil courage and are examples and inspiration for all of us together!”

You can follow the awards live on the S&D Website
Follow the event on Twitter using #EuropeTogether
Get involved online on the interactive #EuropeTogether portal
More details on the Silver Rose Winners can be found here