CLAC Mourns the Death of Oswaldo Paya

DATE: July 23, 2012

CLAC mourns the death of Cuban human rights activist, Oswaldo Paya.

Paya was a leading voice in Cuba’s continuing search for freedom and was the recipient of multiple human rights awards. A founder of the Varela Project, which called for trade union freedom, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly on the island, Paya was instrumental in bringing violations of basic human rights—including trade union rights—to the attention of the world.

“It is a great loss,” says Dick Heinen, executive director of CLAC. “Paya, along with members of the Consejo Unitario de Trabajadores Cubanos (CUTC, an independent trade union in Cuba), sought a better Cuba, and worked against great odds to achieve it. We are deeply saddened for his family and friends, and for Cuba as a whole. This is a great loss, but one which we hope will inspire a new generation of Cubans to work for greater freedoms. Our thoughts and prayers are with Cubans today.”
 
CLAC maintains an active voice in favour of greater trade union rights in Cuba. It was instrumental in bringing leading Cuban trade unionists to meet Canadian officials, and remains committed to trade union freedom in Cuba.

More information on Oswaldo Paya can be found here.