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Tamara Sujú's Casla Institute to host anniversary event in Madrid

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The Casla Institute, led by Tamara Sujú, will celebrate its 12th anniversary in Madrid, honoring participants in its "Sponsor a Political Prisoner" campaign.
  • The event will feature discussions on democratic transitions in Latin America and the ongoing situation of Venezuela before the International Criminal Court.
  • Sujú emphasized Casla's mission to document abuses, alert democracies, and support victims of political persecution across various countries.

Tamara Sujú's Casla Institute is set to mark its 12th anniversary with a significant event in Madrid, bringing together former presidents, activists, and human rights defenders from across Ibero-America and Europe. The institute, founded and directed by Sujú, will use the occasion to recognize contributors to its "Sponsor a Political Prisoner of the World" campaign and to deliberate on the pressing need for democratic transitions in the region.

We have many things to celebrate, but in particular we are dedicated to three things at this event. First, to thank all those godfathers and godmothers who have participated in the 'Sponsor a Political Prisoner of the World' campaign.

— Tamara SujúSujú described the focus of the anniversary event.

During the celebration, a central panel titled "Voices in the Darkness" will focus on individuals who have endured political persecution. Participants are expected to include former Bolivian President Jeanine Áñez, Cuban opposition figure José Daniel Ferrer, Nicaraguan exile Humberto Mendoza, and Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero. Another key discussion will address the stalled democratic transitions in Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, with insights from figures like Felipe González, Luis Almagro, Jeanine Áñez, and Filip Dimitrov.

It's not just about Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua. We have sponsors who sponsor people in Iran, Ukrainians imprisoned in Russia, and political prisoners in Russia.

— Tamara SujúSujú explained the broad reach of the sponsorship campaign.

Sujú highlighted the institute's enduring mission over the past 12 years: to document abuses and sound the alarm on threats to democracy throughout the region. "One of the institute's missions, among many, is to fight for countries to be more democratic and for human rights to be respected," she stated. Casla's work extends beyond Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, actively monitoring and alerting other nations with vulnerable democracies to potential threats.

What is happening with these pending transitions in Venezuela, in Cuba, in Nicaragua? That is to say, what is happening? Even in Bolivia itself, because Bolivia is going through a difficult time today.

— Tamara SujúSujú raised questions about the state of democratic transitions in several Latin American countries.

The institute provides support to victims, denounces their cases, and utilizes national, regional, and international mechanisms to offer assistance. Sujú affirmed that the core objective remains unchanged since Casla's inception: to continue alerting, accompanying, and advocating for human rights and democratic principles across the continent. The event will also honor former Costa Rican President Óscar Arias and former Bulgarian Prime Minister Filip Dimitrov.

One of the institute's missions, among many, is to fight for countries to be more democratic and for human rights to be respected.

— Tamara SujúSujú outlined the core goals of the Casla Institute.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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