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CUBA
New report dismisses 'feeble pretexts' for
political detentions
Amnesty
International,
January 29, 2004.
Harassment, intimidation and bans on freedom
of expression against dissidents must end
in Cuba, said Amnesty International in a
new report today, detailing the cases of
four new prisoners of conscience.
Rolando Jiménez Posada, Rafael Millet
Leyva, Miguel Sigler Amaya and Orlando Zapata
Tamayo are four of the over 80 dissidents
imprisoned after a massive government crackdown
on 18 March 2003.
Amnesty International UK Media Director
Lesley Warner said:
"These four people were arrested for
participating in peaceful activities, including
a march to celebrate the anniversary of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
"The crimes they stand accused of,
'disrespect,' 'public disorder' and 'disobedience'
are a feeble pretext for locking up human
rights defenders. Even more worrying is
that in some cases, people remain imprisoned,
nearly one year on, without any formal charge
at all."
The Cuban authorities have justified their
actions against the 75 dissidents tried
in April of last year as a need to defend
themselves against provocations and threats
posed to its national security by the United
States. While Amnesty International believes
that nothing can justify the imprisonment
of prisoners of conscience or other violations
of fundamental rights and continues to condemn
Cuba for these violations, it also recognises
the negative effect of the US embargo on
the full range of human rights in Cuba,
and therefore calls on the US to review
its policy.
Lesley Warner said:
"The embargo provides the Cuban government
with an excuse for its repressive policies,
and has had a detrimental influence on nutrition,
health, education and many other spheres
of life, disproportionately harming the
weakest and most vulnerable members of society."
Amnesty International is once again urging
the Cuban authorities to immediately and
unconditionally release all prisoners of
conscience, and to end all forms of harassment
and intimidation directed against dissidents.
Full report:
Cuba:
Newly declared prisoners of conscience
Full report:
Cuba:
"Essential
measures"? Human rights crackdown in
the name of security
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