Information Bridge
Cuba Miami, February 20, 2002.
Epidemics presently out of control, medical attention denied, lack of food,
and deplorable hygiene, are the main accusations contained in a note from the
political prisoners of the provincial prison of Combinado de Guantanamo.
According to the information compiled by political prisoners and provided by
the prisoner Julian Hernandez Lopez, the number of prisoners suffering with
tuberculosis already exceeds 1,000.
On the other hand, the leptospirosis epidemic -also known as "rat fever"-
is out of control. There are more than 150 prisoners already contaminated with
this disease.
According to the note, on February 5th an unknown number of prisoners with
equina meningoencefalitis -also known as "horse fever"- were
transferred in critical condition to the punishment section known as Death Lane.
In their note, the political prisoners plead for an urgent action by human
rights organizations as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross on
behalf of this penal population whose health situation already has the
dimensions of a tragedy.
Reporting from the November 30th Press Bureau in the City of Havana,
Luis Osvaldo Manzaneira Cucalo, President in Function of the Democratic Party
November 30 "Frank Pais". Given to the Information Bridge Cuba Miami
on February 2002. | 
