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FROM
CUBA
Ex political prisoner now unemployable
SANTA CLARA, Cuba, February 1 (Guillermo
Fariñas Hernández, Cubanacán
Press / www.cubanet.org) - A former State
Security lieutenant who served time for
"divulging State secrets" now
finds himself unable to hold down even menial
jobs because he is deemed "untrustworthy,"
a common term for people whom the government
finds politically unreliable.
Ramón Herrera was fired January
31 from the Forestry company in Villa Clara
province, where he worked as a driver for
exactly 9 days. That's how long it took
company supervisors to learn he was a released
former "political."
Some say this attitude masks an aversion
on the part of managers for the added official
scrutiny that comes with employing former
political convicts, since all managers of
government enterprises pilfer and embezzle
at least some resources from the enterprises
they manage.
Herrera, who has a degree in penal science,
was sentenced to eight years in prison in
2000, accused of divulging State secrets.
He had been a lieutenant in the Department
of State Security, and after his conviction
is barred from practicing law or from holding
down any kind of managerial position.
A judge in charge of Herrera's case wrote
a letter, explaining the circumstances to
Forestry company officials, and adding that
there is no legal reason he is not able
to hold down a job as a driver with the
company.
No matter. Herrera was paroled on December
24. Under the terms of his parole, he has
to hold down a job, under the supervision
of the court that sentenced him.
Versión
original en español
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