People In Need Award Goes To Former Cuban Prisoners Of The Black Spring

People In Need Award Goes To Former Cuban Prisoners Of The Black Spring
/ 14ymedio
Posted on February 3, 2016

14ymedio, Havana, 3 February 2016 — The Czech organization People in
Need has given its Homo Homini Award for this year to the 11 former
prisoners of the 2003 Black Spring who continue to live in Cuba, as
confirmed to this newspaper by several of the laureates. The entity,
focused on the defense of human rights, has recognized the work of those
who have continued to exercise their peaceful activist for decades,
despite the rigors of prison and political repression.

Last year the award celebrated two decades since its founding. The award
is intended to honor individuals for their "dedication to the promotion
of human rights, democracy and non-violent solutions to political
conflicts."

Among the honorees with distinction, is Cuban opposition member Felix
Navarro who told 14ymedio that he was "very pleasantly surprised with
the news" and dedicated the honor to all those who struggle "peacefully
inside Cuba to produce the changes that will make Cubans free." The
activist went on to ask whether the Cuban government will allow the
winners to travel to receive the award, given the travel restrictions
they have endured since their release from prison.

The only woman in the so-called Group of 75, Martha Beatriz Roque,
welcomed the recognition for her work "within the country to defend the
cause of human rights." The activist points out that this task "is
becoming ever more difficult for the internal opposition" and agrees
that it is likely that none of the 11 will be allowed to leave the
country, so that "there will be an empty chair, with everything that's
going to mean."

"Moral and political backing and support," is how the dissident Angel
Moya described the Homo Homini Award, adding that this is a recognition
that extends "to all those within Cuba struggling to establish the rule
of law".

For the leader of the Patriotic Union of Cuba, Jose Daniel Ferrer, this
is a good time to remember that "the first Cuban to receive it was
Oswaldo Paya Sardinas in 1999." At the time, Ferrer was an activist in
the Christian Liberation Movement, who spread " the news throughout the
eastern part of the country." He added, referring to Payá's death, "It
is now up to us and this award makes us very happy."

Among the winners from previous years, as well as Oswaldo Paya, are
Sapiyat Magomedova (Russia, 2013), Intigam Aliyev (Azerbaijan, 2012),
Azimžan Askarov (Kyrgyzstan, 2010), Liu Xiaobo (China, 2008), Su Su
Nway, Phyu Phyu Thin and Nilar Thein (Myanmar, 2007), Ales Bialiatski
(Belarus, 2005) and Sergej Kovaljov (Russia, 1994), among others.

The NGO People in Need was founded in 1992 and is defined as a
non-profit organization " based on the ideas of humanism, freedom,
equality and solidarity." It has employees and volunteers both in the
Czech Republic and in a dozen countries seeking to "provide assistance
in regions of conflict and support the commitment to human rights
throughout the world."

Source: People In Need Award Goes To Former Cuban Prisoners Of The Black
Spring / 14ymedio | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/people-in-need-award-goes-to-former-cuban-prisoners-of-the-black-spring-14ymedio/