MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Cuban dissident Guillermo Fariñas

A journalist, Fariña has gone on hunger strike 23 times in recent years

The European parliament has honoured prominent Cuban dissident Guillermo Fariñas, awarding him the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The 48-year-old journalist has been honoured for his services to advancing human rights in Cuba.

Mr Fariñas has often gone on hunger strikes to pressure the Cuban authorities into making reforms and releasing political prisoners. The award was formally announced by the president of the European parliament, Jerzy Buzek.

"He was ready to sacrifice and risk his own health and life as a means of pressure to achieve change in Cuba," he said.

"I hope to hand over the award to him in person here in Strasbourg in December, which would be a tremendous moment for all Cuban prisoners of conscience."

The 48-year-old Cuban was nominated by the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) group and the centre-right European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group.

A journalist, Fariñas has gone on hunger strike 23 times in recent years to protest against the lack of rights afforded to Cubans and to raise awareness of the plight of imprisoned political dissidents.

Nelson Mandela is a previous winner of the prize.

Meanwhile, Cuba has authorised the release of five extra dissidents who are not among the 52 already set for freedom under a landmark deal reached in May.

Juana Maria Nieves, Domingo Ozuna, Juan Francisco Marimon, Misael Mena and Jose Luis Ramil "have accepted to leave prison and be transferred to Spain," the office of the Havana archbishop said in a statement.

Thirty-nine of the 52 have already been released under the deal, which was brokered by the Roman Catholic Church and should see those who agree transferred to Spain by November.