Oswaldo José Payá Sardiñas
Doctor of Law

Engineer, journalist, activist, tireless campaigner for human rights and advocate for the people of Cuba, you represent the aspirations of millions around the world yearning for freedom and democracy. Based on the Cuban constitution itself, your Varela Project - a peaceful civic initiative to gather signatures across Cuba for the establishment of a free and democratic citizenry - is a model of civic activism. At great personal sacrifice and despite nearly constant surveillance and harassment, you have remained committed to non-violent dissidence and political change. You embody a life of principle in practice and we are proud to celebrate your extraordinary dedication to peaceful, democratic values by conferring on you the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.