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Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the awarding of the Sakharov Prize to Guillermo Fariňas

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic welcomes the award of the European Parliament Sakharov Prize to the Cuban psychologist and independent journalist Guillermo Fariňas. The prize every year rewards groups or individuals who have shown extreme bravery and courage is battling for human rights and freedom of expression.

48-year old Cuban dissident and freedom fighter Fariňas has spent more than 11 year in Cuban prison for expressing openly his opinion. He had gone on a hunger strike several times in the past in protest of censorship and human rights violations by the Cuban regime. His last protest lasted 134 days. He was asking for the release of 26 political prisoners in extremely bad health condition. Also thanks to him the release of political prisoners from Cuba started at the beginning of July 2010, amounting today to over 30 released.

The Ministry congratulates Mr. Fariňas for this award and hopes that he will be able to receive the prize in person in Strasbourg on 15 December.

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