The struggle continues

“I was 31 years in prison, nine of them in isolation. I suffered torture, humiliation; I did not receive medical assistance when I needed it. But I never lost my hope or my trust in the dignity of man”. So says Ahmed al-Zubair Ahmed al-Sanusi, one of the best known and most courageous opponents of the regime of Muammar Gheddafi. The Libyan activist, together with four other protagonists of the “Arab Spring” (Asmaa Mahfouz, Egypt; Razan Zaitouneh and Ali Farzat, Syria; and Mohamed Bouazizi, Tunisia, the latter a posthumous award), were honoured with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought at a ceremony held at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 14 December. Motor of change. Of the five winners, only al-Sanusi and the Egyptian Asmaa Mahfouz could be present in person at the European Parliament to receive the Prize (a certificate and a cheque for 50,000 euro) from the hands of EP President Jerzy Buzek. In explaining the reasons for the award, Buzek declared: “The Arab Spring was the motor of changes truly momentous in scale. The events of 2011, aimed at the pursuit of freedom, offered thousands of examples of altruistic courage”. The award of the prize to the five human rights activists “represents a collective symbol and recognition for all those who yearn for dignity, democracy and respect for fundamental rights in the Arab world”. The EP President, in his speech to the chamber, pointed out that “the struggle for human rights is continuing in these same countries and in many others. In Syria protestors’ demands are met by bullets, teargas, tanks, arbitrary detention and torture. The latest number of deaths reported exceed 5,000, including 300 children”. Buzek underlined in particular “the decisive role played by women during the Arab Spring. Their determination is an inspiration to all of us”, and their courageous involvement promises to “bring about an improvement in women’s rights”. After his speech, the President called for a minute’s silence to commemorate those who had paid the ultimate price in the “Arab Spring” and in particular the young Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi who by his sacrifice (he set fire to himself) lit the fuse that ignited the uprisings in his country. Ongoing commitment. The plaintive voice of the two winners moved the chamber. The young Egyptian woman activist Asmaa Mahfouz in a brief intervention declared: “This recognition goes to all Egyptians and to all those in the Arab world who have committed themselves and who are still taking to the streets for the cause of freedom and democracy. Many of them have lost their life and also for this reason our commitment cannot be said to be ended. We must continue the struggle for freedom, and to this end the support of the European Parliament” and of the international community “will be precious”. Not one word of hatred, vendetta or even of bitterness crossed the lips of the two guests. The Libyan Ahmed al-Sanusi insisted on the importance of reconciliation: “We need to rebuild our country, showing tolerance towards those who have committed crimes and violated human dignity”. The Syrian cartoonist Ali Farzat, now in exile in Kuwait, sent a video message in which he recalled that the struggle for democracy in his country is continuing and expressed “grief” and “sorrow” for the number of victims “which is increasing every minute”. The Syrian human rights lawyer Ms Razan Zaitouneh, who is leading an underground existence because she is being actively sought by the regime, sent a letter: “I would like to thank the European Parliament and all those who have sympathized with the uprisings of our people and who have supported us in whatever way, for a future without repression, without prisons and without bloodshed”. Profiles of the winners of the Sakharov Prize 2011But who are the winners of the Sakharov Prize in 2011? They are men and women who are very well known in their respective countries, and have in various ways personified the uprisings in recent months and still continuing in the Mediterranean world and in the Middle East. Asmaa Mahfouz is a young Egyptian blogger; her videos on Youtube brought thousands onto the streets to protest against the regime of President Mubarak. “Having seen what has happened in Egypt I hope people will realize – she said in Strasbourg – how many stereotypes exist about us Arabs and Muslims. We are not dedicated to violence and terrorism. Islam teaches us the virtues of peace and respect for our fellowmen”. Ahmed al-Zubair Ahmed al-Sanusi was, until his recent release, the longest serving prison inmate in Libya for having attempted a coup d’état against former dictator Gheddafi. Mohamed Bouazizi, by setting himself alight, ignited popular protests throughout Tunisia, which soon led to the fall of the regime. Ali Ferzat is a Syrian cartoonist known for his caricatures of Arab dictators; the Assad regime tortured him and broke both his hands. Razan Zaitouneh is a female human rights lawyer who was forced to abandon Syria after the threats she received for having informed her fellow-citizens and the international media about the assassinations and violence perpetrated by the police and the army.