Nomeado em representação de todos os que lutam pelos direitos humanos em Cuba, o psicólogo, jornalista e dissidente político de 48 anos fez 23 greves de fome ao longo dos anos, como forma de protesto contra o regime cubano.
Vale a pena ler a entrevista e escutar a mensagem do laureado Guillermos Farinas, que se recusou a aceitar um exílio em Espanha com canas e tapas. Lamentavelmente foi impedido pelas autoridades cubanas de deslocar-se a Bruxelas para receber o Prémio. Em Havana nada de novo.
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The quiet determination of Guillermo Fariñas was evident in an
interview conducted by phone on Monday evening. He was unable to come
to Europe to receive the Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of
Thought as the Cuban authorities are still barring the winner from
leaving the country. Instead, a symbolic empty chair marked the spot.
He spoke to us of his resolve to oppose Cuba's government regardless
of the personal sacrifice that may involve. He also urged the EU to
hold firm and take a tough stand against the regime. Mr Fariñas spoke
of his unwillingness to seek exile in Spain as his "battle" for
freedom lies in Cuba.
How do you feel about being awarded the Sakharov Prize and following
in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi?
I feel very committed, especially about my country and my fatherland.
I feel a great responsibility in receiving this prize.
Why did you choose the hunger strike as a tool of protest?
I turn to this method only if I have no other choice, because my
health has deteriorated badly. I have a thrombosis on the left side
of my body, so if I am forced to go on hunger strike, I will have
little chance of surviving. Nevertheless if the regime's repression
brings me to an unbearable situation, it doesn't leave me much choice
but to die with the most dignity possible.
Do you think the EU should change its policy towards Cuba?
No, but I believe that the EU should toughen its policy. In
particular, it should maintain its common position and not negotiate
with a government that has already betrayed it. Remember that in the
past it made commitments to the EU, before it received economic help
from Venezuela, and began to improve human rights.
Then, just as Chavez's regime emerged, the Cuban government left
negotiations with the EU and held to its autocratic position. I think
that the EU should not fall into the same trap again and listen to the
siren song of the Cuban government that they need time to change, but
look for a series of objectives and say: "if you don't keep your
promises, we will not negotiate with you".
You are the third Cuban to receive the Sakharov Prize in the past
eight years. Do you think the previous awards changed the political
situation in Cuba?
I think so. I believe that in the case of Oswaldo Payá, it forced the
government to acknowledge that they did not respect their own laws or
the Constitution. It was very important because, until that moment,
this had never happened publicly. This showed the world that the Cuban
government does not even obey its own laws, not to mention
international law.
Regarding the other winner, "Ladies in White", the situation changed
because after the wave of repression in 2003, the dissident movement
was paralysed, especially the peaceful actions taking place in the
street, so the Ladies in White established a pattern with their pain.
Therefore, I think those were very important awards because they
revived and reactivated the opposition movement, which with one blow,
in three days, had been reduced to immobility. Ladies in White laid
the foundation so that despite the injustices, despite threats,
despite the exiles, people were no longer afraid.
What does the Sakharov Prize mean for you?
The main significance of this award is that for the first time the
Cuban government, despite its manoeuvres to get the support of the
Spanish government - and to some extent - the Holy See, was forced to
cede on a humanitarian basis to internal factors, something that had
never occurred before. The government always tries to show that its
conflicts do not have anything to do with its own people, but with
other countries or blocs. In this case, the imminence of my own death,
and the international condemnation of Orlando Zapata's death, put the
government in a very difficult position. Then, a fairly credible
mediator such as the Catholic Church had to come and try to soften the
discredit towards the Cuban state.
Why did you reject the option of exile in Spain?
I won't go to Spain or anywhere else. I do not aspire to be exiled
under any circumstances. I respect all my brothers who decide to
follow this path, but I believe that we have to battle here. God
willing, I will stay alive; God willing, I will not be killed by the
minions of the Castro dictatorship. But I think we have to battle
here, since - speaking in military terms - the main hub is here, in
Cuba.
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/eplive/expert/multimedia/20101215MLT10288/media_20101215MLT10288.mp3
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