HIBAPRESS – Mohammed Zariouh
The headquarters of the Seville City Council hosted an official ceremony to present the Emilio Castelar Human Rights and Peoples Progress Award, which is awarded annually by the Spanish Progressives Foundation. This award is given to international figures and institutions that contribute to the field of defending human rights, freedoms, and the progress of peoples.
This year's award was given to institutions and figures from Spain and Latin America, in addition to the Joint Memory Center for Democracy and Peace, in recognition of its long path in this field. Spanish journalist, historian, and film director Rafael Guerrero, a member of the center's scientific committee, received the Emilio Castelar Award on behalf of the president of the Joint Memory Center. Guerrero delivered a speech on behalf of the institution during this event, noting that this crowning is not the end of the center's work path, but rather a recognition of a continuous path with the challenges it faces. In his speech, Guerrero emphasized that transitional justice is not just a passing phase, but a permanent horizon for rebuilding trust between the state and society. He explained that reconciliation requires acknowledging the truth, listening to the victims, and bearing responsibilities, stressing that the world is still witnessing the continuation of violence in new forms. He added that transitional justice contributes to creating guarantees to prevent the recurrence of violations and to promote a culture of democracy and human rights. The importance of culture, art, and cinema in promoting dialogue between peoples and supporting a culture of peace was also highlighted. The center affirmed the role of the Joint Memory Cinema Festival in Nador, which is a practical extension of the center's vision in building a collective meaning and achieving human justice. Guerrero said that the festival creates an international space for discussion about the role of memory in building a more just future. Finally, the Joint Memory Center affirmed that this crowning carries a great responsibility to continue working for human rights and to maintain the independence of work in this field. Despite the global challenges, commitments to democracy and human rights remain necessary and possible, sending a message of hope to the efforts of all those interested in these issues.
