Algerian Radio
Spanish actor and producer Javier Bardem reaffirmed his stance in favor of the Sahrawi people's right to self-determination during a ceremony where he received the "Global Citizen of the Year" award from the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA). During the event, he called on the international community to stand "urgently" with the Sahrawi people.
According to the Spanish news outlet El Diario, Bardem emphasized during his acceptance speech in New York that the Sahrawi people are going through a "difficult juncture" that necessitates the support of the international community.
He added that defending the press and human rights inherently involves defending the just causes of oppressed peoples. He noted that a free press has a pivotal role to play when it comes to exposing violations and crimes likely to go unpunished, referring to the media blackout imposed by the Moroccan occupation in the occupied Sahrawi territories.
"The press shapes our collective understanding of the world. It does not just convey information; it helps us to better see the suffering [of the oppressed] despite the distance," he said. He further asserted that the press "gives us the ability to see reality as it is, reminding us (...) that it is our duty to listen, to be attentive to the voices of those who suffer, and to understand their respective stories in detail."
Moreover, he stated his belief that "true global citizenship can only become a reality by recognizing the rights of peoples and by denouncing violations, such as those suffered by the Sahrawi people."
