The Cuban activist Rosa María Payá, director of the platform Cuba Decide and recently appointed as a member of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), received this Friday the 2025 Human Rights Award granted by the Christian Democratic Organization of America (ODCA).
The recognition was awarded during the Free America Forum, held in Mexico City, in honor of his "commitment to freedom and his leadership in international civic causes," as reported by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, which celebrated the award as "a motivation to continue working for a free, just, and prosperous Cuba."
Upon receiving the award, represented by a sculpture of the Tree of Life, Payá dedicated the tribute "to the Cubans who today, from the Island, risk their lives and freedom for democracy," as well as to the more than a thousand political prisoners who remain in the prisons of the Cuban regime.
"I am deeply touched to receive an award that has already been given on two previous occasions to two of my personal role models," stated the activist, referring to María Corina Machado and Rolando Álvarez, opposition leaders from Venezuela and Nicaragua, respectively.
During his participation in the forum, Payá reiterated that "Cubans are ready for a change towards democracy" and that from civil society there is the capacity to lead a process of political transition.
Additionally, he denounced the crimes against humanity committed by the Cuban regime, both inside and outside the Island, especially in Venezuela, where he stated that Havana has operated with impunity.
"The freedom of Venezuela is near, and that could become a triggering element for change in Cuba, as part of a domino effect," he declared.
The opposition leader also warned about the consequences of allowing the Cuban regime to extend its influence in Latin America: “We are experiencing the repercussions of having allowed the authoritarian octopus that resides in Havana to operate and connect with drug trafficking and political structures that seek to perpetuate themselves in power for more than six decades.”
Payá was elected as a commissioner of the IACHR in June of this year, after being nominated by the U.S. Department of State.
En ese momento, el actual secretario de Estado, Marco Rubio, la describió como “una defensora de la democracia, respetada internacionalmente, líder de derechos humanos y experta en política latinoamericana”.
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