San Isidro Movement Among Key Nominees for the Payá Prize
Democratic Spaces considers that the Oswaldo Payá: Life and Freedom Award is both, a crucial means to internationalize the cause of human rights and democracy in Cuba, and a channel to recognize the work of pro democracy activists in the island and around the world who have made extraordinary contributions to advance the cause of freedom. It is also a creative way to connect and give relevance to the ideals of Oswaldo Payá, one of the founders of the Movement for Human rights in Cuba, and how it has shaped the work of rights defenders today.
While I appreciate the contributions made by each of the nominees, I am particularly thrilled with the nomination of the San Isidro Movement who inspired on Oswaldo Payá´s principle that ¨Cubans have the right to have rights,¨ and have been protagonists in the struggle for individual liberties in Cuba and have inspired a new generation to raise a voice in defence of their fundamental human rights.
“The Oswaldo Payá Prize pays tribute to my father who gave his life for the dream of a democratic Cuba, a dream many of us share and we know we are close to make it a reality.”
ROSA MARÍA PAYÁ
The description below was translated into English by Democratic Spaces and it is based on the announcement made by the Latin American Youth Network for Democracy:
“Let us all work together as a testimony of unity, carrying a message of hope to humanity that the world can change and will change to become increasingly more humane, more free, more fair but knowing that it can only be achieved if a commitment is made to be more fraternal.”
Oswaldo Payá, Habana, Cuba. November 2008.
The Latin American Youth Network and the Pan-American Foundation for Democracy recently announced the nominees for the fifth edition of the Oswaldo Payá: Freedom and Life Award. They are
Carl Gershman, President of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), in recognition of his life’s work in the promotion of human rights around the world, from the stand point of solidarity and international cooperation.
Hector Schamis, defender of democratic values and acute critic of dictatorships and corruption in the hemisphere.
Lee Edwards, President fo the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and signatory of the Prague Declaration on European conscience and communism.
San Isidro Movement comprised of cuban artists, activists and intellectuals who fight for the right to have rights in Cuba.
The Payá Prize was instituted in 2016 and it aims to recognize organizations and individuals for their extraordinary contributions to the cause and principles of democracy through actions closely linked to the principles that guided Oswaldo Payá´s life. The winner will be announced in the coming weeks by election in the steering committees of the organizing entities. The award ceremony will take place in Habana as soon as epidemiological situation allows it.
On this initiative, Rosa María Payá honorary president of the Latin American Youth Network for Democracy said:
“I applaud the initiate of young people with these four nominations. Among them, one can find examples of struggle against communist totalitarian regimes around the world, and against tyrannies and their accomplices in the hemisphere. Carrying out this struggle is indispensable in a time when several nations in the region are under dictatorships or at risk of falling under authoritarian regimes.”