Fariñas receives the Sajarov Award for Human Rights

The award of the European Parliament honors the memory of Andrei Sajarov, wellknown Soviet nuclear phisicist and afterwards human rights and democracy activist. This award is given since 1998 to people and organizations who had an important role in their struggle in favor of human rights and freedom in the world.

The Cuban democrat Guillermo "Coco" Fariñas was the winner of the Sajarov Award for Human Rights 2010, given by the European Parliament. In 2007, Reporters Without Borders gave Fariñas the award Cyberliberty 2006, and the German city of Weimar gave him the Human Rights Award 2006. Also, the Network Puente Democrático Latinoamericano recognized his peacefull and heroic quest awarding him, on May 3, 2010 the "Freedom of Expression in Cuba Award", that he shared with Ricardo González Alfonso and Omar Rodríguez Saludes, who were then in prison.

Also, the Center for the Opening and Development of Latin America (CADAL), promoted Guillermo Fariñas for the International Award for Human Rights Emilio F. Mignone given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina, whose winner will be known on December 10 this year.

The award of the European Parliament honors the memory of Andrei Sajarov, wellknown Soviet nuclear phisicist and afterwards human rights and democracy activist. This award is given since 1998 to people and organizations who had an important role in their struggle in favor of human rights and freedom in the world.

When this piece of news was known, Gabriel Salvia, CADAL's Chairman said: "It is an excellent thing to know and I am hopefull that the human rights organizations that take part as jury at the Emilio F. Mignone Award, will recognize Fariñas and they will thus send a message of Latin American democratic solidarity to all peacefull activists who promote a political opening in Cuba. A human rights award must be given to an activist facing a dictatorsip and that is the best way to honor Mignone".