Bastiaan Engelhard received in The Hague the award for his work in Cuba

Cuban activist and art historian Carolina Barrero was in charge of presenting the plaquette to the diplomat from the Netherlands, who served as his country»s Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission at the embassy in Havana from August 2017 to January 2022. Engelhard is the second diplomat from the Netherlands to receive the »Award for diplomacy committed to human rights in Cuba» granted by CADAL. The ceremony held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands was attended by the previous winner of the Award in 2009-2010, Caecilia Wijgers, current ambassador to Afghanistan, and Bahia Tahzib-Lie, Ambassador for Human Rights of the Netherlands.

Leer esta nota en Español

The purpose of the award is to recognize the work of diplomats accredited in Cuba whose performance has been characterized by providing recognition, support and encouragement to Cuban democratic actors and their efforts in the defense of human rights and political pluralism.

The ceremony was opened by Dirk-Jan Vermeij, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and then, Gabriel Salvia, presented a video on the seventh edition of the "Award for diplomacy committed to human rights in Cuba".

Carolina Barrero, a Cuban activist forced into exile, spoke about Bastiaan Engelhard's work during his mission in Cuba.

After receiving the plaque from the Cuban activist, the diplomat from the Netherlands, Bastiaan Engelhard, gave the closing remarks.

Leer esta nota en Español