:: Puente Democrático ::

Puente Democrático is a project within the area "International Promotion of Human Rights" of the Center for Opening and Development of Latin America (CADAL). Its objective is to realize international acts of solidarity and to support the efforts of the democratic people who live within dictatorial countries as well as to influence the implementation of a foreign policy that is committed to Human Rights on the part of the Latin American countries.

Prize for Committed Diplomacy in Cuba

Within the framework of the project "Puente Democrático" the Center for Opening and Development of Latin America (CADAL) organized the "Prize for Committed Diplomacy in Cuba", with the objective to emphasize the task of solidarity on the part of the foreign diplomats regarding human rights, during the time period between 2003 and 2008.

CADAL reminds of the importance of expressions of international solidarity that foreign governments and state officials had during the military dictatorships in the South Cone. Hence CADAL wishes to emphasize the work of foreign diplomats in Cuba by recognizing those who, during their mission, have distinguished themselves by showing solidarity towards the democrats in the island and by making committed actions against the violations of human rights in this country.

For the awarding of this Prize, which consisted of a plaque, CADAL has consulted about one hundred people, among them democratic opposition leaders in Cuba, family members of the prisoners of conscience, foreign diplomats and correspondents in the island, who on their part offered names of foreign diplomats they consider to deserve this honor but who for obvious reasons already have left their duties behind in Havana. In 2009 edition, 46 foreign diplomats were nominated for this Prize and eight were selected to receive it, always bearing in mind the quantity and diversity of votes.

CADAL gave this Prize on Wednesday, March 18th 2009, to the Ambassador in Argentina, or to the state official appointed to receive it, of the country to which the prizewinning diplomat belongs.