Six years in prison in Cuba for 57 activists: supporters face ongoing harassment
| Publisher | Amnesty International |
| Publication Date | 18 March 2009 |
| Cite as | Amnesty International, Six years in prison in Cuba for 57 activists: supporters face ongoing harassment, 18 March 2009, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/49c3547d1e.html [accessed 16 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In the past, the Cuban authorities have briefly detained people taking part in such peaceful demonstrations. Amnesty International has voiced concerns that this may happen on Wednesday.
Amnesty International has called on the Cuban government to immediately release the 57 people who were arrested in a March 2003 crackdown against political and human rights activists in the country. Amnesty International considers them to be prisoners of conscience.
Ivonne Mallesa, from the organization Damas de Blanco, was reported to have been detained at her home on 10 March by members of the State Security forces. She was taken to a casa de visita - a government premises used to organize public events and meetings.
She was released without charge after four hours. Security officials told her that she would be sent to prison for 20 years if she continued to support the Damas de Blanco (Ladies in White), an unofficial group formed by women who are relatives and friends of the people imprisoned in the March 2003 crackdown.
"There was no valid reason for the original detention of the 57 men and there is certainly no reason for them to remain in prison," said Gerardo Ducos, Cuba researcher at Amnesty International. "The only 'crime' they committed was the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression.
"Cuban officials have many times talked about the importance of human rights. Now they have an opportunity to turn their words into action by releasing those who have been imprisoned unfairly," said Gerardo Ducos.
Fifty-four of the 57 current prisoners of conscience in Cuba are the remainder of a group of 75 people jailed in the context of a massive crackdown against the dissident movement in March 2003. Most of them were charged with crimes including "acts against the independence of the state" because they are alleged to have received funds and/or materials from US-based NGOs financed by the United States government.
They were sentenced to between six and 28 years in prison after speedy and unfair trials for engaging in activities the authorities perceived as subversive and damaging to Cuba.
Among the jailed political opponents is Víctor Rolando Arroyo Carmona, an independent librarian and vice-president of the unofficial organization Foro para la Reforma (Forum for Reform). He was arrested on 18 March 2003 and sentenced less than three weeks later to 26 years in prison.
The activities the prosecution cited against him included setting up a library with more than 6,000 books of 'reactionary' character, collaborating with press agencies not accredited by the Cuban government and having been awarded the Hellman/Hammet human rights prize by Human Rights Watch. He is currently being held in 'Cuba Sí' Prison in Holguín Province.
Read More
Cuba signs up for human rights (News, 29 February 2008)New Cuban leadership can improve human rights (News, 19 February 2008)
Cuba releases imprisoned activists (News, 18 February 2008)
Cuba releases prisoner of conscience (News, 22 August 2007)
Copyright notice: © Copyright Amnesty International
