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Perla Hinojosa, Fellowship and Advocacy Officer at Index on Censorship, holds the 2018 Freedom of Expression Arts Award for Cuban arts collective Museum of Dissidence, who could not attend the Freedom of Expression Awards. (Photo: Index on Censorship)

Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara:  First of all I would like to thank Index and everyone for being here. We had to do this via video because the bureaucracy, the embassies and the powers that be prevented us from being here to accept the award. It’s sad, because we would have liked to share this moment with all of you and the happiness that we feel receiving this award. This award for us means a lot but it also means a lot to all the artists who have preceded us and who are the reason why we have been able to work with a little bit more freedom and a little less fear. Antonia Eiriz, Tania Bruguera, Danilo Maldonado, Angel Delgado and all the artists who have suffered a lack of freedom of expression and creative freedom and who in one way or the other have never given up and have fought for their rights.

Yanelys Nuñez Leyva: On my part, I am happy because this is a boost, where the work of the museum is recognised internationally. This is not the work of just two people, it’s the work of a big collective. There’s a lot of artists but also many activists who are involved in the projects of the Museum of Dissidence. And for us, this is a recognition for them as well.

Luis Manuel: Freedom of expression is an integral part of all societies. It’s what allows us to question all the processes that can happen to an individual. From being able to tell a mother that her way of bringing up her children in a certain way is aggressive or not. To being able to say a political system is corrupt. To being able to express yourself to another person without facing violence or repression.

Yanelys: For me, freedom of expression is like breathing and being able to move every day. It’s something natural that enables us to improve ourselves and grow.

Luis Manuel: Freedom of expression also promotes love towards yourself, towards other people and all the people around you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=”yes”][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”84882″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]

Speech: Ildar Dadin: “Together, we can refuse to look away”

Profile: #IndexAwards2017: Ildar Dadin courageously defends the right to protest in Russia

For his one-man protests, Ildar Dadin was sent to prison in December 2015 where he was tortured, before his conviction was quashed in February 2017. Read the full profile.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”84888″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]

Speech: Rebel Pepper: “I will continue working hard on creating new cartoons”

Profile: #IndexAwards 2017: Chinese cartoonist Rebel Pepper refuses to put down his pen

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Speech: Alp Toker, Turkey Blocks: “Online censorship is increasingly used to mask more severe human rights violations”

Profile: #IndexAwards2017: Turkey Blocks strives to win back the internet

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Speech: Zaheena Rasheed, Maldives Independent: “This award feels like a lifeline”

Profile: #IndexAwards2017: Maldives Independent continues to hold government to account despite pressures

Maldives Independent, the Maldives’ premiere English publication and one of the few remaining independent media outlets, was formed in exile in Sri Lanka in 2004. Read the full profile.

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