The European parliament has awarded the 2010 Sakharov Prize to Cuban journalist and dissident Guillermo Fariñas. “I look upon every mark of recognition given to me as recognition of the peaceful opposition and of all the people of Cuba,” he told Radio Netherlands Worldwide on Thursday.

Guillermo Fariñas went on hunger strike for 135 days this year to put pressure on the Cuban government to release sick political prisoners. To a large extent, he achieved his goal. Despite this, he is still not satisfied: “Several of the 12 imprisoned dissidents who refuse to leave the country are seriously ill. We’d be satisfied if these 12 were at home. That’s the tactical aim. The strategic aim is Cuba’s modernisation.”

Disappear
Dr Fariñas was put forward for the prize by conservative parties in the European parliament. Dutch MEP Hans van Baalen says he’s very pleased that Dr Fariñas has been chosen. “The award means global attention for one person. If you’ve won the Sakharov Prize, it’s difficult for the regime to get you to disappear, because you’re now a ‘name’. And at the same time, Cuba will realise it’s being watched.”

It is the third time the Sakharov Prize has been given to members of the Cuban opposition. Earlier winners were Oswaldo Payá in 2002 and the ‘Ladies in White’ (Damas de Blanco) in 2005. Mr Van Baalen says MEPs from Spain, Portugal and Italy make sure Cuban dissidents do not get forgotten. “Dissidents from Cuba are able to stay in reasonably good contact with us. They’re able to keep in touch.”

Hunger strike
Mr Van Baalen points out that the fact that the prize has gone to a hunger striker does not mean that Europe approves of that method of protest. “People have to decide for themselves how they oppose dictatorships and promote human rights. And if Dr Fariñas believes that a hunger strike fits in with that, then we have to respect him. But I wouldn’t encourage it. I can’t encourage other people to endanger their lives.”

Dr Fariñas himself describes it as the last option: “It’s better to risk our own health than to endanger the lives of our opponents. That’s important. If someone is made so desperate by the political and social system that is oppressing him that he, as a last resort, goes on hunger strike, that’s naturally the last option.”

In 2005, the Cuban regime refused to allow the ‘Ladies in White’ to travel to Strasbourg to receive the 50,000-euro prize. The European parliament’s Speaker Jerzy Buzek says he hopes that Dr Fariñas, together with the ‘Ladies in White’, will be able to collect their prizes in December.