MIAMI, United States. – Cuban activist and artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, sentenced to five years in prison in Cuba, was honored on November 9 in Bergen, Norway, by receiving the prestigious Rafto Human Rights Award.
The official ceremony, which took place at the University Aula in Bergen, featured the participation of prominent figures of Cuban activism, such as Norges Rodríguez, Yanelys Núñez and Anamely Ramos.
As part of the tributes, on Sunday, November 10 a torchlight procession was organized in honor of Otero Alcántara with the aim of making visible his struggle and the value of his activism against the Cuban regime. Art curator Claudia Genlui Hidalgo expressed in statements to the media Cuba DNA that “for Luis Manuel receiving this award is a great privilege.” “He is extremely grateful to the organization and all the people who contributed to his nomination,” he added.
The Rafto Foundation had announced in September that Otero Alcántara would be awarded for his “brave opposition to authoritarianism through art.” In the words of the jury, “the 2024 Rafto award aims to highlight the importance of the work of Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara and other artists in challenging power structures and defending democracy and human rights in Cuba and around the world. ”. In addition, the foundation urged the Cuban Government to release Otero Alcántara and all political prisoners, as well as to repeal the Decree 349which limits freedom of artistic expression in the country.
For Genlui Hidalgo, the recognition represents “a ray of light, a little hope” for Otero Alcántara, who is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for the alleged crimes of “contempt” and “insult to national symbols,” charges which his followers consider unfair and politically motivated.
Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, defined the award granted to the Cuban artivist in recognition of his “extraordinary bravery and tireless dedication in the defense of freedom of expression, human rights and artistic freedom in Cuba.”
“Your courage, despite immense personal difficulties, serves as a beacon of hope, not only for Cuban people, but for all people in the world who believe in the power of art and activism to achieve change.” Those were part of the words dedicated by Callamard to Otero Alcántara.
The founder of the San Isidro Movement (MSI) has been detained on multiple occasions due to his activism and his critical stance towards the Cuban regime. On July 11, 2021, he was arrested while attempting to join the peaceful protests that spread across the Island, resulting in his current sentence.
