The Government of Hungary has been saddened by the sudden death of Oswaldo Payá, the principled and influential Cuban opposition leader, the father of the Varela Project and a recipient of the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

His death is a loss not only for his family and friends but for democrats all over the world – especially in Cuba. We extend our condolences to his family.

The arrest and beating of opposition members peacefully exercising their right to free speech at Mr Payá’s funeral was not only an affront to his memory but a violation of fundamental civil rights.

The Hungarian Government hopes that the Cuban authorities will conduct a fair investigation into the events surrounding his death.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary)