State Department Honors The Ladies in White

at 12:36 AM Thursday, April 21, 2011

From the U.S. Department of State:

Today, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns will present the Human Rights Defenders Award to the Cuban NGO Damas de Blanco ("Ladies in White").

The Human Rights Defenders Award recognizes individuals or non-governmental organizations who show exceptional valor and leadership in advocating the protection of human rights and democracy in the face of government repression.

Damas de Blanco's visible, consistently observed vigils focused international attention not only on political prisoners, but the overall human rights situation in Cuba.