2002
Vladimiro Roca Antunez
Acceptance Speech: The current government of Cuba…prevents and outlaws freedom of expression, freedom for the common Cuban to state his thoughts on a particular national issue or to criticize the government for its actions that continue to make life for the common Cuban harder and harder. I am living proof of this practice…I spent five years [in prison] for peacefully expressing my critical views of my government -- something that many of you may do all the time.
To change all this "bad" in my country, I continue to peacefully fight for gradual change towards a democratic Cuba, a free Cuba, and to promote respect for the human rights of all Cubans, even those who peacefully disagree with the practices of the government....