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Posted on Wed, Dec. 18, 2002 in
The Miami Herald.
The European Parliament found in Oswaldo Payá a worthy recipient for
its Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, Europe's top human-rights honor. Mr.
Payá, 50, has long peacefully pushed to bring freedom and democracy to
his Cuban homeland. Persecuted by a dictatorship that squashes critics, his
heart and mind have never been captive.
A devout Catholic, Mr. Payá, 50, found his voice decades ago
demanding religious freedom in the atheist communist regime. In 1988, before
dissidents became popular or known outside the island, he cofounded the illegal
Christian Liberation Movement. Famously, he has been the prime mover behind the
ongoing Varela Project: a lawful petition seeking an island-wide referendum on
broad democratic changes and civil and political freedoms.
For his nonviolent advocacy, Mr. Payá and his family have been
harassed, threatened and subjected to violent ''acts of repudiation.'' He has
been detained repeatedly, including at age 16 in an involuntary labor camp. Last
week his family's home was vandalized, and he feared an attempt on his life. The
regime gave him an exit visit to accept the Sakharov Prize in France at the last
minute, but only after an appeal by Spanish Prime Minister José Maria
Aznar.
Throughout, however, Mr. Payá has been a constant advocate of
national reconciliation and nonviolent transition to democracy. By speaking the
truth, Mr. Payá counters the fear that is tyranny's currency. In shining
a light on the regime's abuses and on better alternatives, he gives all Cubans
hope for a better tomorrow. May Europe and the world support him in the struggle
to free Cuba. |
