CUBA
One year too many: prisoners of conscience
from the March 2003 crackdown
I. Introduction
In the space of a few days beginning on 18
March 2003, the Cuban authorities arrested
scores of dissidents in targeted sweeps. Some
were subsequently released, but 75 of them
were subjected to hasty and manifestly unfair
trials in early April and quickly sentenced
to long prison terms of up to 28 years.(1)
Most appealed their sentences, but the appeals
were rejected.
The Cuban authorities attempted to justify
the crackdown as a necessary response to United
States aggression towards the island. Dissidents
were convicted either under Article 91 of
the Penal Code or Law 88. Article 91 provides
for sentences of ten to 20 years or death(2)
against anyone "who in the interest of
a foreign state, commits an act with the objective
of damaging the independence or territorial
integrity of the Cuban state."(3)
Law 88, the Ley de Protección de la Independencia
Nacional y la Economía de Cuba, Law for
the Protection of National Independence and
Economy of Cuba, provides stiff prison terms
for those deemed guilty of supporting United
States policy against Cuba.(4) The law includes,
for example, penalties for passing information
to the US government or its agents that could
be used to bolster US Cuba policy; for owning,
distributing or reproducing 'subversive materials'
that could be used to promote US policy; for
collaborating with media deemed to be assisting
US policy; and distribution of funds or materials
for the above activities. (5)
In the trials, dissidents were accused of
engaging in activities which the authorities
perceived as subversive and damaging to Cuba's
internal order and/or beneficial to the embargo
and related US measures against Cuba. Concretely,
the prosecution accused them of activities
such as publishing articles critical of economic,
social or human rights issues in Cuba; being
involved in unofficial groups considered by
the authorities as counter-revolutionary;
or having contacts with individuals viewed
as hostile to Cuba's interests. After a detailed
review of the available legal documents in
the 75 cases, Amnesty International considered
the 75 dissidents to be prisoners of conscience(6)
and called for their immediate and unconditional
release.
Amnesty International has also closely followed
the situation of the 75 prisoners, who are
incarcerated in prisons throughout Cuba.
II. Overview of the situation of the 75
prisoners of conscience arrested in March
2003
With regard to their location of detention,
Amnesty International has denounced the practice
of deliberately incarcerating the 75 individuals
in prisons located at extreme distances from
their homes and families. This makes access
to families and legal assistance particularly
difficult, and can be construed as an additional
penalty imposed upon the prisoners and their
families. This practice contravenes the United
Nations Body of Principles for the Protection
of all Persons under any Form of Detention
or Imprisonment, Principle 20, which provides
that:
"If a detained or imprisoned person
so requests, he shall if possible be kept
in a place of detention or imprisonment
reasonably near his usual place of residence".(7)
For example, Normando Hernández González,
who lives in Vertientes in the province
of Camagüey, is serving his sentence in Pinar
del Río province, nearly 700 kilometers away,
while Eduardo Díaz Fleitas from Pinar
del Río is being held in Kilo 8 prison in
Camagüey.
In addition, the exchange of correspondence
and telephone communications between many
prisoners and their families has reportedly
been restricted, and family visits limited,
according to families as a form of harassment
by prison officials. Restrictions on contact
with family members, if intended as harassment
or a form of additional punishment, would
contradict the principles of the UN Standard
Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners
as laid out in paragraph
37:
"Prisoners shall be allowed under necessary
supervision to communicate with their family
and reputable friends at regular intervals,
both by correspondence and by receiving
visits".(8)
In addition, in cases such as that of nine
prisoners of conscience held in Kilo 8 prison
in Camagüey province, prison authorities have
reportedly made efforts to deter prisoners
from carrying out activities such as studying
the Bible, for example by threatening to suspend
family visits. This would also contradict
the principles of the UN Standard Minimum
Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, paragraphs
41.3 and 42:
"Access to a qualified representative
of any religion shall not be refused to
any prisoner. On the other hand, if any
prisoner should object to a visit of any
religious representative, his attitude shall
be fully respected ...So far as practicable,
every prisoner shall be allowed to satisfy
the needs of his religious life by attending
the services provided in the institution
and having in his possession the books of
religious observance and instruction of
his denomination".(9)
With regard to treatment in detention of
the 75 individuals detained in March 2003,
Amnesty International has received scattered
allegations of ill-treatment by prison guards
or by other prisoners, reportedly with the
complicity of prison guards. Such instances
would contravene article 4 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, which states
that:
"No one shall be subjected to torture
or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
or punishment".(10)
In one such case, reports indicate that prisoner
of conscience Víctor Rolando Arroyo Carmona
was taken from his cell by three prison
guards on 31 December 2003 and dragged to
the floor while reportedly being struck in
the face and body. Guards also allegedly trapped
his leg in a door to immobilise him during
the beating.
Some prisoners have reportedly been held in
solitary confinement for extended periods.
Amnesty International believes that if solitary
confinement is used, strict limits should
be imposed on the practice, including regular
and adequate medical supervision by a doctor
of the prisoner's choice and the right to
appeal prison authorities' decisions. Amnesty
International believes that solitary confinement
can have serious physical and psychological
effects and in certain circumstances can constitute
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
For example, the Sigler Amaya brothers,
Ariel and Guido, have reportedly been held
in solitary confinement with inadequate light
and water, in breach of international standards.
The Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment
of Prisoners, paragraph 33 that states that
"chains or irons shall not be
used as restraints". Amnesty International
has received information indicating that at
least one of the prisoners, Próspero Gainza
Agüero, was chained during his transfer
to the prison infirmary, in contravention
of these rules.
With regard to health issues, Amnesty
International is concerned at numerous reports
of illnesses among the prisoners which have
reportedly been aggravated by prison conditions,
insufficient access to appropriate medical
care and, at times, hunger strikes. The UN
Body of Principles for the Protection of all
Persons Under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment
states that:
"A proper medical examination shall
be offered to a detained or imprisoned person
as promptly as possible after his admission
to the place of detention or imprisonment,
and thereafter medical care and treatment
shall be provided whenever necessary".(11)
According to reports, at the time of his arrest
Oscar Espinosa Chepe had already been
diagnosed with chronic cirrhosis of the liver
and liver failure and bleeding from the digestive
tract, among other illnesses. Since his arrest,
his health has reportedly deteriorated. According
to family members, the deterioration has been
due in part to the poor conditions in which
he is being held, including lack of running
water and lack of clean drinking water, as
well as by inadequate medical attention. While
in detention he has reportedly been hospitalised
several times due to liver problems. In July
2003, his family presented a judicial request
for his release on the grounds of ill health;
they have reportedly received no response
from the authorities.
In addition, in some cases, family members
of prisoners have reportedly been harassed
by the authorities, due to their own dissident
activities or their efforts on behalf of imprisoned
family members. Such harassment has reportedly
taken the form of threats, summons, interrogations
and curtailment of access to prisoners.
Orlando Fundora Alvarez's wife, for
example, was reportedly threatened with arrest
and with reprisals against her husband in
prison, if she attended a reception given
by the Polish Embassy in Havana in November
2003.
The appendix of this report provides detailed
information on the situation of the 75 prisoners,
one year after their initial arrest. (Information
on their past activities and past abuses against
them can be found in the earlier Amnesty International
report, Cuba: "Essential measures"?
Human rights crackdown in the name of security
(AI Index: AMR 25/014/2003), June 2003).
III. Recommendations to the Cuban government
1. Prison conditions and treatment of
prisoners
Amnesty International calls on the Cuban
government:
· to order the immediate and unconditional
release of all prisoners of conscience,
including those arrested in the March 2003
crackdown as well as all other such prisoners
recognised by the organisation;
· to immediately and unconditionally release
all those detained or imprisoned solely
for having peacefully exercised their rights
to freedom of expression, association and
assembly;
· to provide prisoners with adequate medical
care and treatment whenever necessary, as
defined in the UN Body of Principles for
the Protection of all Persons Under Any
Form of Detention or Imprisonment (Principles
24 and 26). Amnesty International is aware
that the embargo imposed on Cuba by the
USA has had a negative impact on, among
other things, the availability of medicines
and other medical supplies; however, the
organisation calls on the Cuban authorities
to meet international standards in this
regard to the utmost of their capacity;
· to transfer all prisoners of conscience
to prisons closer to their families' homes,
especially those suffering from illness,
as stipulated in the United Nations Body
of Principles for the Protection of all
Persons under any Form of Detention or Imprisonment
(Principle 20);
· to ensure that an independent and impartial
inquiry is held into allegations of ill-treatment
by prison guards or by other prisoners with
the complicity of prison guards; and, that
the officials responsible be immediately
suspended from duty and brought to justice;
· to ensure that treatment of those in custody
is in accordance with the UN Standard Minimum
Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, including
with regard to permission to have regular
correspondence; contact with religious representatives
and facilities for worship; a nutritionally
adequate diet and acceptable standards of
hygiene; and regular open air recreation;
· to ensure that detainees are able to exercise
their right to present complaints about
matters relating to their legal situation
or treatment while in detention without
fear of reprisal;
· if solitary confinement is used,
strict limits should be imposed on its practice,
including: the circumstances under which
a detained person may be placed in solitary
confinement must be set forth in writing
in publicly accessible laws or regulations;
specific reason for the confinement must
be provided in writing when an the order
of solitary confinement is issued, along
with an explanation to the detainee about
the right of appeal and review; the detainee
must have the right of appeal against an
order of solitary confinement, and the right
to have independent legal advice in the
preparation and presentation of this appeal;
there must be frequent reviews of the necessity
of the imposition of solitary confinement
on the particular detainee; regular and
adequate medical supervision must be provided,
and the detainee must have the right to
be examined by a doctor of his or her own
choice.
2. The detention of prisoners of conscience
Amnesty International calls on the Cuban government:
· to reform the Cuban legislation which
facilitates the ongoing incarceration of
prisoners of conscience by outlawing the
legitimate exercise of fundamental freedoms,
and to bring such legislation into line
with international standards;
· to provide full judicial guarantees to ensure
that, in accordance with international human
rights standards, all detainees accused of
politically-motivated offences have access
to a fair trial, including immediate access
to a lawyer of their choice;
· to suspend Law 88 and other similar legislation
that facilitates the imprisonment of prisoners
of conscience by unlawfully restricting fundamental
freedoms;
3. International human rights instruments
In addition, Amnesty International urges the
Cuban government:
· to ratify the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; the
International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights; the Optional Protocol to the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and
the Second Optional Protocol to the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming
at the abolition of the death penalty.
IV. Appendix: 75 prisoners of conscience
- updates
1. Nelson Alberto Aguiar Ramírez, 58
Sentence: 13 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Guantánamo provincial prison, since
September 2003.
Background: President of the unofficial Partido
Ortodoxo de Cuba, Cuba Orthodox Party,
and a member of the recent initiative, Asamblea
para Promover la Sociedad Civil, Assembly
to Promote Civil Society. He is an electrician
by profession.
Nelson Alberto Aguiar Ramírez reportedly suffers
from arteriosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries).
This condition leads to reduced blood circulation,
high blood pressure and the likelihood of
heart failure. His symptoms include swelling
of the legs. He is also reported to have an
enlarged prostate, which has led to retention
of urine and urinary infection. He is also
apparently suffering from sores on the skin.
On 31 August 2003 he, along with five other
prisoners of conscience in Boniato prison,
reportedly started a hunger strike to call
attention to conditions of detention which
included poor hygiene, insufficient food and
limited medical assistance. In a move that
may have been aimed to break their hunger
strike, they were all transferred to different
prisons. Nelson Alberto Aguiar was taken to
Guantánamo Provincial Prison. Since his arrival
he has been, according to reports, in a punishment
cell. In these cells, according to reports,
conditions habitually fall far below international
standards.
2. Osvaldo Alfonso Valdés, 38(12)
Sentence: 18 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Guanajay prison in Havana province.
Background: President of the unofficial Partido
Liberal Democrático, Liberal Democratic
Party. He has been a member of the Todos
Unidos, "All Together" movement,
and the steering committee of the Proyecto
Varela(13) initiative.
Reports received in October indicated that
Osvaldo Alfonso may have been suffering increased
mental distress. As a result, he was taken
to the Guanajay Hospital for four days.
His wife was reportedly detained and questioned
in October 2003 by state security agents and
apparently warned to stop her dissident activities
and her criticisms of her husband's treatment.
3. Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos, 55
Sentence: 25 years.
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Ciego de Avila provincial prison (called
"Canaleta").
Background: President of the unofficial Consejo
Unitario de Trabajadores Cubanos (CUTC),
United Cuban Workers Council. He served as
a vice delegate in the 1995-96 Concilio
Cubano initiative, and became involved
with the Proyecto Varela in 2002.
There is no additional information available
on his current situation.
4. Pedro Argüelles Morán, 56
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Ciego de Avila city
Prison: Combinado del Este prison in Havana.
Background: Member of the Cooperativa
de Periodistas Independientes, Cooperative
of Independent Journalists. He is also a
member of the Comité Cubano Pro Derechos
Humanos, Cuban Committee for Human Rights,
in Ciego de Avila. Neither organisation
has been recognised by the Cuban authorities.
On 16 October 2003, Pedro Argüelles reportedly
started a hunger strike in Combinado del
Este prison in Havana, demanding to be separated
from prisoners convicted of criminal, non-political
offences. He reportedly claimed that they
threatened and abused him under the orders
of prison officials. His demands were met
early in November 2003, and according to
the information received he started eating
again as a result.
5. Víctor Rolando Arroyo Carmona,
52
Sentence: 26 years
Home town: Pinar del Río
Prison: Guantánamo provincial prison.
Background: Vice-president of the unofficial
group Foro por la Reforma, Forum
for Reform, as well as a member of the unofficial
Unión de Periodistas y Escritores Cubanos
Independientes (UPECI), Union of Independent
Cuban Journalists and Writers.
According to reports, he is suffering from
a number of medical conditions including
high blood pressure, headaches, weight loss
and diarrhoea. His family have charged that
Víctor Arroyo is not receiving adequate
medical treatment. Family members also reported
being subjected to humiliating treatment
from prison guards when attempting
to visit him in prison in August 2003.
There have also been worrying reports of
ill-treatment. According to information
received, Víctor Arroyo was taken from his
cell by three prison guards on 31 December
2003 and dragged to the floor while reportedly
being beaten in the face and body. Guards
also allegedly trapped his leg in a door
to immobilise him during the beating. The
beating reportedly occurred after he complained
about being transferred to a building inside
the prison where prisoners accused of criminal
offences are allegedly confined in harsh
conditions.
6. Mijail Barzaga Lugo, 36
Sentence: 15 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Villa Clara provincial prison in
Santa Clara city
Background: According to the trial verdict,
Mijail Barzaga had worked as an 'independent
journalist'.
There is no additional information available
on his current situation.
7. Oscar Elías Biscet González, 43
Sentence: 25 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Kilo 8 prison, in Pinar del Río
province.
Background: Doctor by profession. Also president
of the unofficial Fundación Lawton de
Derechos Humanos, Lawton Human Rights
Foundation. He has been recognised by Amnesty
International as a prisoner of conscience
in the past.
Oscar Biscet was already in pre-trial detention
when the March 2003 crackdown took place,
having been arrested on 6 December 2002
while attempting to take part in a meeting
in Havana, reportedly to discuss human rights
concerns. However, he was tried together
with a number of dissidents who were arrested
in the March crackdown, and convicted of
similar offences.
On his transfer to Kilo 8 prison in Pinar
del Río province in November 2003 he was,
according to reports, taken to a punishment
cell with no windows or light after refusing
to stand up in the presence of prison guards.
His family was told that his punishment
included a prohibition on family visits,
receiving food supplies, toiletries or clothing
from outside
the prison, receiving or sending any correspondence
and going outdoors. Oscar Biscet had apparently
already spent some time in solitary confinement
in October.
According to the information received, Oscar
Biscet suffers from high blood pressure
and infected gums.
8. Margarito Broche Espinosa, 45
Sentence: 25 years
Home town: Caibarién, Villa Clara province.
Prison: Guanajay prison in Havana province.
Background: Member of local unofficial Comité
Ciudadano, Citizens Committee, for Proyecto
Varela initiative. Also founded a group
called Asociación Nacional de Balseros,
Paz, Democracia y Libertad del Centro Norte
de Cuba, the National Association of
Rafters, Peace, Democracy and Liberty of
North Central Cuba.
According to reports, Margarito Broche suffers
from bronchietasis, a condition in which
lung tissue is destroyed and becomes a source
of infection. One symptom is reportedly
a constant cough. He is also said to have
an ulcer of the small intestine and a condition
of chronic low blood sugar. It has been
reported that he is not receiving adequate
medical treatment for these illnesses.
In addition, his family has repeatedly complained
that Margarito Broche Espinosa has not been
able to receive or send correspondence regularly.
According to information received, on 3
January 2004 Margarito Broche started a
hunger strike which he planned to continue
75 days to pay symbolic tribute to the 75
prisoners of conscience.
9. Marcelo Cano Rodríguez, 39
Sentence: 18 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Ariza Prison, Cienfuegos province,
having been transferred from Ciego de Avila
provincial prison (called "Canaleta")
Background: He is a doctor by profession
and the National Coordinator of the unofficial
Colegio Médico Independiente de Cuba,
Cuban Independent Medical Association, a
national organization of Cuban medical professionals.
As a human rights activist he is also a
member of the unofficial Comisión Cubana
de Derechos Humanos y Reconciliación Nacional,
Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National
Reconciliation.
There is no additional information available
on his current situation.
10. Juan Roberto de Miranda Hernández,
57
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Combinado del Este prison
in Havana city
Background: He is a teacher by training.
He founded and is the president of the Colegio
de Pedagogos Independientes de Cuba,
College of Independent Teachers of Cuba,
which has not received any official recognition
by the Cuban authorities.
Reportedly, Juan Roberto de Miranda Hernández
is in a fragile state of health. He was
reportedly briefly sent to a military hospital
to be treated for a heart condition in April
2003. The visit occurred during a move,
apparently for medical reasons, from the
Agüica prison in Matanzas province to his
current prison in Havana city.
According to the information received, Roberto
de Miranda subsequently underwent surgery
on the valves of his heart, followed by
urgent surgery for an obstruction of the
coronary artery.
His symptoms are said to include high blood
pressure and severe headaches. In October
2003, according to the information received,
he was given a series of medical examinations
at the Hermanos Almejeiras Hospital
in Havana city. After a visit to him in
November 2003, his family complained that
he was not receiving medical treatment for
a large cyst on his back.
Roberto de Miranda's family has also allegedly
suffered numerous incidents of harassment
at the hands of the authorities, including
arbitrary threats of arrest. In addition,
another family member who resides in Spain
has reportedly been denied an entry visa
to Cuba, despite the fact that the reason
for the proposed visit is the precarious
health of Roberto de Miranda.
11. Carmelo Agustín Díaz Fernández, 65
Sentence: 16 years.
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Combinado del Este prison
in Havana province.
Background: Member of the unofficial Unión
Sindical Cristiana Cubana, the Christian
Cuban Workers Union, and president of the
also unofficial Agencia de Prensa Sindical
Independiente de Cuba (APSIC), the Independent
Union Press Agency. He is the Cuban correspondent
for the Venezuelan magazine Desafíos,
and his articles have appeared on a number
of websites.
According to reports, Carmelo Díaz suffers
from cardiovascular ailments, high blood
pressure and depression. He was apparently
transferred from Guanajay prison in Havana
province to the hospital in Combinado
del Este prison, where he may reportedly
undergo a heart operation.
12. Eduardo Díaz Fleitas, 51
Sentence: 21 years
Home Town: Pinar del Río
Prison: Kilo 8 prison in Camagüey
Background: He is a farmer by profession
and belongs to a number of groups in his
province of Pinar del Río, including the
unofficial Movimiento 5 de Agosto,
5 August Movement.
According to reports Eduardo Díaz suffers
from cardiovascular problems and high blood
pressure. In October 2003, he apparently
decided to discontinue medical treatment
offered by the authorities on the grounds
that it was inadequate. According to reports,
family members have tried to provide him
with medicine required for his treatment,
which is unavailable within the prison medical
service, but were not allowed to do so.
In September 2003, Eduardo Díaz and other
prisoners of conscience imprisoned in Kilo
8 were reportedly threatened with having
conjugal and other family visits suspended
if they persisted in activities such as
studying the Bible in their cells.
13. Antonio Ramón Díaz Sánchez, 40
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Holguín provincial prison.
Background: He is an electrician by profession.
He is a member of the unofficial Movimiento
Cristiano Liberación, Christian Liberation
Movement, and has been active in the Proyecto
Varela initiative.
On 18 October 2003, Antonio Díaz joined
a hunger strike of six other prisoners to
protest against the detention in a punishment
cell on 17 October of fellow prisoner Iván
Hernández Carrillo after the latter reportedly
shouted criticisms of the government and
accused prison authorities of denying him
medical assistance. Conditions in such cells
habitually fall far below international
standards, according to reports.
On 6 November, five women relatives of the
hunger strikers travelled to Holguín prison
to enquire for the health of their relatives.
They were reportedly not allowed to speak
personally with any of them, but were told
by prison officials that the hunger strike
had ended that day. Prison officials reportedly
promised that their relatives would be allowed
to telephone home on 10 November; however,
no calls were received.
Following Antonio Díaz ' participation in
the hunger strike, he was transferred to
another unit within Holguín prison.
14. Alfredo Rodolfo Domínguez Batista,
age not known
Sentence: 14 years
Home town: Las Tunas
Prison: Holguín provincial prison
Background: He is a member of the Movimiento
Cristiano Liberación, Christian Liberation
Movement, and has been involved in the Proyecto
Varela initiative.
Alfredo Domínguez began serving his sentence
in "El Típico" provincial prison
in Las Tunas, with four other men arrested
in the crackdown of March 2003. However,
they were all transferred, reportedly after
they had staged a protest in the prison.
He is now being held in Holguín provincial
prison.
According to reports, he and others in Holguín
prison joined prisoner of conscience Mario
Enrique Mayo on a hunger strike from 15
to 25 August 2003. Mario Enrique Mayo had
begun the strike to demand better medical
attention and food. The protest apparently
ended when the authorities agreed to meet
prisoner demands.
From 18 October to 6 November 2003 Alfredo
Domínguez apparently joined another hunger
strike, in conjunction with other prisoners,
to protest against the detention in a punishment
cell on 17 October of fellow prisoner Iván
Hernández Carrillo after the latter reportedly
shouted criticisms of the government and
accused prison authorities of denying him
medical assistance. Conditions in such cells
habitually fall far below international
standards, according to the information
received.
On 6 November, five women relatives of the
hunger strikers travelled to Holguín prison
to enquire for the health of their relatives.
They were reportedly not allowed to speak
personally with any of them, but were told
by prison officials that the hunger strike
had ended that day. Prison officials reportedly
promised that their relatives would be allowed
to telephone home on 10 November; however
no calls were received.
15. Oscar Manuel Espinosa Chepe,
63
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Carlos J. Finlay military prison
in Havana.
Background: He is a former employee of the
National Bank of Cuba. He also worked for
the Cuban government as economic counsellor
for the Cuban Embassy in Belgrade. Later,
after expressing criticism of government
policies, he became a journalist reporting
on economic and other matters.
Oscar Espinosa reportedly suffers from
several medical conditions. According to
reports, at the time of his arrest he had
already been diagnosed with chronic cirrhosis
of the liver and liver failure and bleeding
from the digestive tract. Non-malignant
growths have been removed from the colon
and it needs checking for possible recurrence.
He has problems with his spine and receives
treatment for ocular disease.
Since his arrest, although a medical doctor
reportedly has access to him and has been
able to alert prison authorities to medical
problems, his health has deteriorated. The
deterioration has been exacerbated by the
poor conditions in which he is being held,
including lack of running water, lack of
clean drinking water and inadequate medical
attention.
On 20 April 2003, while awaiting transfer
to another prison, Oscar Espinosa was sent
from the temporary detention facility at
the State Security headquarters in Havana
to the Marianao Military Hospital; however,
he reportedly was not given a medical examination,
on the grounds that he was soon to be assigned
to a more permanent prison.
On 24 April, he was transferred to Guantánamo
Provincial Prison and, from there on 16
May, to Guantánamo Provincial Hospital.
Concerns for his health continued and, on
31 May, he was admitted to the provincial
Ambrosio Grillo Hospital in the city of
Santiago de Cuba. According to reports,
his family was concerned at the poor conditions
in that hospital, and requested that he
be sent to a better-equipped hospital in
Havana.
On 4 July, he was sent to Boniato Provincial
Prison in Santiago de Cuba province and
on 12 July, apparently due to liver problems,
he was sent again to Ambrosio Grillo
Hospital. Family members continued to protest
at the absence of the specialised medical
attention they believed he required. On
7 August, he was flown to Carlos J. Finlay
Military Hospital in Havana.
In July 2003, his family presented a judicial
request for the release of Oscar Espinosa
on the grounds of ill health; they have
reportedly received no response from the
authorities. They apparently remain concerned
at the lack of information from prison system
doctors about his medical condition and
treatment. They reportedly continue to request
his release on health grounds and have added
a petition that he be allowed to leave Cuba
once released, in order to have a liver
transplant abroad.
According to the information received, Oscar
Espinosa is not allowed to use the telephone
or to receive or write letters.
His family has reported some harassment
by prison officials: in one instance, they
were allegedly told that the visit scheduled
for 29 November 2003, which coincided with
Oscar Espinosa's 63rd birthday, depended
on "how Miriam behaves," a possible
reference to his wife's statements to international
media about his condition.
16. Alfredo Felipe Fuentes, age not
known
Sentence: 26 years
Home town: Artemisa in Havana province
Prison: Guamajal prison in the municipality
of Santa Clara.
Background: Member of the Consejo Unitario
de Trabajadores Cubanos (CUTC), United
Cuban Workers Council, and other organisations.
There is no additional information available
on his current situation.
17. Efrén Fernández Fernández, 54
Sentence: 12 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Guanajay prison in Havana province.
Background: He is secretary of the Movimiento
Cristiano Liberación, Christian Liberation
Movement, and was active in the Proyecto
Varela signature drive in Havana.
There is no additional information available
on his current situation.
18. Juan Adolfo Fernández Sainz,
55
Sentence: 14 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Holguín provincial prison.
Background: He is a trained English language
translator and worked as a journalist with
the unofficial agency Patria, Fatherland.
Juan Adolfo Fernández has reportedly joined
two hunger strikes in Holguín provincial
prison. According to reports, he and others
in Holguín prison joined prisoner of conscience
Mario Enrique Mayo on a hunger strike from
15 to 25 August 2003. Mario Enrique Mayo
had begun the strike to demand better medical
attention and food. The protest apparently
ended when the authorities agreed to meet
the demands.
Subsequently, Juan Adolfo Fernández and
6 other prisoners of conscience carried
out a hunger strike from 18 October to 6
November, to protest against the detention
in a punishment cell on 17 October of fellow
prisoner Iván Hernández Carrillo after the
latter reportedly shouted criticisms of
the government and accused prison authorities
of denying him medical assistance. Reportedly
conditions in punishment cells habitually
fall far below international standards.
On 6 November, five women relatives of the
hunger strikers, including Juan Adolfo Fernández'
wife, travelled to Holguín prison to enquire
for the health of their relatives. They
were reportedly not allowed to speak personally
with any of them, but were told by prison
officials that the hunger strike had ended
that day. Prison officials reportedly promised
that their relatives would be allowed to
telephone home on 10 November; however no
calls were received.
According to reports, on 6 December 2003
Juan Adolfo Fernández was beaten by another
prisoner, to whom prison officials had given
a supervisory role over other inmates. The
incident, which has apparently not been
investigated by the authorities, reportedly
occurred after Juan Adolfo Fernández protested
about the detention conditions of another
prisoner. Information received indicated
he suffered a bruised and bloody left temple
and a bruised right eyelid during the incident,
and was consequently transferred to the
infirmary. Ongoing health concerns reportedly
include severe weight loss and chronic conjunctivitis.
19. José Daniel Ferrer García, 33
Sentence: 25 years
Home town: Santiago de Cuba
Prison: Kilo 5 1/2 prison in Pinar del Río
Background: Brother of Luis Enrique Ferrer
García, he is an active Proyecto Varela
supporter and regional co-ordinator for
the Movimiento Cristiano Liberación,
Christian Liberation Movement, in Santiago
Province.
According to reports, he started a hunger
strike in May, claiming that he had been
refused medical assistance for intestinal
problems. He also allegedly complained about
orders forcing him to stand up in presence
of a prison guard or military person; according
to reports, for these reasons he was sent
to a punishment cell; reported conditions
in punishment cells habitually fall far
below international standards.
20. Luis Enrique Ferrer García, 27
Sentence: 28 years
Home town: Puerto Padre in Las Tunas province
Prison: Combinado del Este prison in Guanabacoa
municipality in Havana province
Background: Brother of José Daniel Ferrer
García, he also is a member of Movimiento
Cristiano Liberación, Christian Liberation
Movement.
According to reports, in September 2003
he and fellow prisoner of conscience Librado
Ricardo Linares García were transferred
to a punishment cell in Combinado del Este
prison for having refused to military salute
a high prison official. As mentioned above,
reported conditions in punishment cells
habitually fall far below international
standards. The two men, along with prisoners
of conscience Guido Sigler Amaya and Alfredo
Pulido López, apparently carried out a hunger
strike for five days until both Librado
Ricardo Linares García and Luis Enrique
Ferrer were returned to their original cells.
In September 2003, Luis Enrique Ferrer's
wife reported being threatened by police
officers that she would be arrested, and
her children taken away, because she had
taken part in activities such as collecting
signatures for the Proyecto Varela
initiative.
21. Orlando Fundora Alvarez, 48
Sentence: 18 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Combinado del Este prison in Guanabacoa
municipality in Havana province.
Backgrond: President of the unofficial Asociación
de Presos Políticos 'Pedro Luis Boitel,'
or 'Pedro Luis Boitel' Political Prisoners
Association.
Reports indicate that Orlando Fundora suffered
a heart attack in the past and remains at
high cardiovascular risk, with additional
complaints such as a stomach ulcer and high
blood pressure. He has reportedly been operated
on twice, in August and December 2003, for
another ailment (intestinal thrombosis)
blockage of blood vessels of the intestine
and is currently said to be recovering in
Julio Trigo Hospital in Havana province.
Orlando Fundora's family has reportedly
been harassed by state security officials;
on one occasion, his wife was reportedly
threatened with arrest and with reprisals
against her husband in prison, if she attended
a reception given by the Polish Embassy
in Havana in November 2003.
22. Próspero Gaínza Agüero, age
not known
Sentence: 25 years
Home town: Moa in Holguín province
Prison: Boniato Provincial Prison in Santiago
de Cuba province
Background: Delegate for Holguín province
of the unofficial Movimiento Nacional
de Resistencia Cívica 'Pedro Luis Boitel,'
'Pedro Luis Boitel' National Civil Resistance
Movement.
According to reports, while Próspero Gaínza
was suffering from a very high fever resulting
from a serious bout of influenza in July
2003, his hands and feet were chained during
his transfer to the prison infirmary.
On 31 August 2003, he reportedly started,
along with five other prisoners of conscience
in Boniato prison, a hunger strike to call
attention to their conditions of detention,
including poor hygiene, insufficient food
and limited medical assistance. In a move
that may have been aimed to break their
hunger strike, prison authorities transferred
some of them to different prisons.
Próspero Gaínza's family have denounced
his conditions of detention. For example,
they have charged that, as an additional
form of punishment, he has not been allowed
to receive or to send correspondence as
freely or frequently as other prisoners
do, or to have a Bible in his cell.
23. Miguel Galván Gutiérrez, 39
Sentence: 26 years.
Home town: Guines, Havana province
Prison: Agüica prison in the municipality
of Colón in Matanzas province
Background: He is an engineer by profession.
He has reportedly written articles for the
unofficial press agency Havana Press and
served as president of the unofficial Colegio
de Ingenieros y Arquitectos de Cuba,
College of Engineers and Architects of Cuba.
He is also the area coordinator for Proyecto
Varela
Miguel Galván is physically handicapped
due to the effects of a road accident in
1998. His family has reportedly expressed
concerns for his health, which according
to prison officials has deteriorated during
his imprisonment due to his participation
in several hunger strikes. He reportedly
suffers from diarrohea, abdominal pain,
pain in his joints and inflammation of the
feet, in addition to difficulties with his
handicapped arm.
According to information received, prison
officials repeatedly threatened Miguel Galván
with being tried on additional charges related
to his having produced, together with other
prisoners, a document for the Ibero-American
Summit(14) in Bolivia in November 2003 demanding
freedom for political prisoners.
His family has complained that Miguel Galván
has not been permitted to receive or to
send correspondence as free or frequently
as other prisoners, as a form of harassment.
24. Julio César Gálvez Rodríguez,
59
Sentence: 15 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Provincial prison in Santa Clara
Background: He is a journalist. In 2001,
he was allegedly sacked from the official
radio stations Radio Ciudad de La Habana
and Radio Cadena Habana for collaborating
with the unofficial organization Cuba Free
Press.
Julio César Gálvez is reportedly suffering
from high blood pressure, renal and intestinal
colic and cervical arthritis. On 6 December,
he was reportedly transferred to the prison
infirmary for treatment of these complaints.
25. Edel José García Díaz, 58
Sentence: 15 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Boniato Provincial Prison in Santiago
de Cuba province.
Background: He worked as director of an
unofficial press agency in Havana, and reportedly
took part in a workshop on journalistic
ethics held just before the March 2003 crackdown.
According to reports, he is blind in the
left eye and the right eye is increasingly
affected as well. In addition, he is said
to suffer from stomach ulcer, bleeding haemorrhoids,
high blood pressure, kidney cyst and claustrophobia.
26. José Luis García Paneque, 38
Sentence: 24 years
Home town: Las Tunas
Prison: Villa Clara Provincial Prison
Background: He is a plastic surgeon by training
and a member of the unofficial Colegio
Médico Independiente de Cuba, Cuban
Independent Medical Association. He has
also been involved in journalism, as director
of the independent news agency Libertad
and member of unofficial Sociedad de Periodistas,
Journalists' Society, "Manuel Marquez
Sterling." He was also reportedly
involved in the Proyecto Varela initiative
as well as directing a private library.
José Luis García reportedly suffers from
claustrophobia. Reports received in October
2003 indicated that he may have been suffering
increased mental distress at his confinement.
27. Ricardo Severino González Alfonso,
53
Sentence: 20 years.
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Kilo 8 Provincial Prison in the
province of Camagüey
Background: President of the unofficial
Sociedad de Periodistas "Manuel
Marquez Sterling", Manuel Márquez
Sterling Journalists' Society, and correspondent
in Cuba of the international non-governmental
organization Reporters Without Borders.
He also has a private library in his home.
In September 2003, he and other prisoners
of conscience imprisoned in Kilo 8 were
reportedly threatened with having conjugal
and other family visits suspended if they
persisted in studying the Bible in their
cells. Such behaviour would contravene international
standards.
On 8 December 2003, Ricardo González apparently
started a hunger strike demanding to be
separated from ordinary criminal prisoners
who had allegedly threatened and stolen
his personal belongings. On 14 December,
he was transferred to a punishment cell,
where according to reports conditions habitually
fall far below international standards;
however, according to reports, his demands
were met on 24 December and he started eating
again.
Ricardo González's family are said to be
very concerned about his health. Reports
indicate that suffers from a cyst in the
neck as well as enlarged lymph nodes.
28. Diosdado González Marrero, age
not known
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: El Roque in Matanzas province
Prison: Kilo 5½ Prison in the province of
Pinar del Río.
Background: He has been an activist for
several years and has been detained on several
occasions. He was been recognised by Amnesty
International as a prisoner of conscience
in the past.
According to reports, he suffers from high
blood pressure and apparently has not received
adequate medical attention for his complaint.
29. Léster González Pentón, 26
Sentence: 20 years
Home Town: Santa Clara city
Prison: According to information received,
on 10 November 2003 he was transferred from
Kilo 8 to Kilo 7 Prison, both in Camagüey
province.
Background: He is a member of the Movimiento
pro Derechos Humanos Razón, Verdad y Libertad,
Reason, Truth and Freedom Human Rights Movement,
and delegate of the Confederación de
Trabajadores Democráticos de Cuba, Cuban
Confederation of Democratic Workers, in
Santa Clara. Neither organization has been
officially recognized by the authorities.
In September, he and other prisoners of
conscience imprisoned in Kilo 8 prison were
reportedly threatened with suspension of
conjugal and other family visits if they
persisted in studying the Bible in their
cells.
According to reports, Léster González has
complained to prison authorities of harassment
and threats from other prisoners with whom
he has been imprisoned. However, there has
reportedly been no official response.
According to his family communication via
mail or telephone with the prisoner is restricted.
30. Alejandro González Raga, 45
Sentence: 14 years
Home town: Camagüey
Prison: Ciego de Avila Provincial Prison
(called "Canaleta")
Background: He is a journalist and helped
to collect signatures for the Proyecto
Varela, Varela Project.
There is no additional information available
about his current situation.
31. Jorge Luis González Tanquero,
32
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: in Las Tunas province
Prison: Guanajay Prison in Havana province
Background: He is reportedly a member of
an unofficial group called Movimiento
Independentista Carlos Manuel de Céspedes,
Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Independence Movement,
which is not recognized by the authorities.
He also helped to collect signatures for
the Proyecto Varela in Las Tunas.
There is no additional information available
about his current situation.
32. Leonel Grave de Peralta Almenares,
age not known
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Juan Antonio Mella in Santiago
de Cuba province
Prison: Kilo 5½ Prison in Pinar del Río
Background: He is a member of the unofficial
Movimiento Cristiano Liberación,
Christian Liberation Movement, in the province
of Santa Clara. He reportedly helped gather
signatures for the Proyecto Varela
in that region. He is also said to have
a private library called the "Bartolomé
Massó" Library.
There is no additional information available
about his current situation.
33. Iván Hernández Carrillo, 32
Sentence: 25 years
Home town: Colón, in Matanzas province
Prison: Holguín Provincial Prison
Background: He reportedly belongs to several
dissident groups: he is a member of the
unofficial Partido por la Democracia
"Pedro Luis Boitel," "Pedro
Luis Boitel" Democracy Party",
has worked as a journalist for several agencies,
including the Patria, "Fatherland"
agency, and has a private library in his
house in the province of Matanzas.
He reportedly joined prisoner of conscience
Mario Enrique Mayo on his hunger strike
from 15 to 25 August demanding better medical
assistance and food for prisoners in Holguín
Prison. The protest apparently ended when
the authorities agreed to Mario Enrique
Mayo's demands.
On 17 October 2003, he was reportedly placed
in a punishment cell after reportedly shouting
criticisms of the government and accusing
prison authorities of denying him medical
attention for high blood pressure. In response
Iván Hernández started a hunger strike which
was joined by six other prisoners of conscience.
Reportedly, conditions in punishment cells
habitually fall far below international
standards.
On 6 November, five women relatives of the
hunger strikers travelled to Holguín prison
to enquire for the health of their relatives.
They were reportedly not allowed to speak
personally with any of them, but were told
by prison officials that the hunger strike
had ended that day. Prison officials reportedly
promised that their relatives would be allowed
to telephone home on 10 November; however
no calls were received.
34. Normando Hernández González,
33
Sentence: 25 years
Home Town: Vertientes, province of Camagüey
Prison: Kilo 5 ½ prison in Pinar del Río
province
Background: He is the director of the unofficial
Colegio de Periodistas Independientes,
College of Independent Journalists.
According to reports, Normando Hernández
and five other prisoners of conscience in
Boniato prison started a hunger strike on
31 August to call attention to their conditions
of detention, which reportedly included
poor hygiene, insufficient food and inadequate
medical attention. In a move that may have
been aimed to break the hunger strike, they
were all transferred to different prisons.
Since 1 September Normando Hernández has
been held in Kilo 5 ½ prison in Pinar del
Río province.
His family is reportedly concerned about
his health. It has been reported that Normando
Hernández suffers from inflammatory disease
of the small intestine, chest pain, increased
heart rate and high blood pressure.
His family has repeatedly complained about
not having been able to communicate with
him either by phone or letters since October
2003.
35. Juan Carlos Herrera Acosta, 37
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Guantánamo
Prison: Kilo 7 prison in Camagüey
Background: He is a member of the
Movimiento Cubano de Jóvenes por la Democracia,
Cuban Movement of Young People for Democracy,
and the Asociación de Presos Políticos
'Pedro Luis Boitel', 'Pedro Luis Boitel'
Political Prisoners Association. Neither
organisation has been recognised by the
authorities. He also works as a journalist
in the province of Guantánamo.
Juan Carlos Herrera has reportedly been
held in three different prisons: in September
2003 he was transferred from Boniato Provincial
Prison in Santiago de Cuba province to Kilo
8 in Camagüey and in November, to Kilo 7
in the same province.
According to reports he has a number of
ailments, including sores on his skin and
cardiovascular problems. Information received
indicates that the appropriate medication
for his condition has not been administered
in prison due to lack of availability; when
family members acquired the relevant medicine
on their own, they reportedly were not allowed
to give it to the prisoner.
According to reports, on 31 August Juan
Carlos Herrera, along with five other prisoners
of conscience in Boniato prison, began a
hunger strike to call attention to their
conditions of detention, which they said
included poor hygiene, insufficient food
and inadequate medical attention. In a move
that may have been aimed to break their
hunger strike, they were all transferred
to different prisons, Juan Carlos Herrera
was reportedly transferred to Kilo 8 prison
in Camagüey.
In September he and other prisoners of conscience
in Kilo 8 were reportedly threatened with
suspension of conjugal and other family
visits if they persisted in studying the
Bible in their cells.
He has also complained, according to reports,
of the denial of access to the telephone
to contact his family, and of not being
able to receive and to send correspondence
as frequently as other prisoners, as additional
punishment.
36. Regis Iglesias Ramírez, 33
Sentence: 18 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Ariza prison in Cienfuegos province
Background: He is a member of the unofficial
Movimiento Cristiano Liberación,
Christian Liberation Movement, in Havana.
He has been involved in work related to
the Proyecto Varela.
In September 2003, he and other prisoners
of conscience in Kilo 8 were reportedly
threatened with having conjugal and other
family visits suspended if they persisted
in studying the Bible in their cells.
It has been reported that he was been transferred
from Kilo 8 Provincial Prison in the municipality
of Camagüey to Ariza Prison in Cienguegos
province.
37. José Ubaldo Izquierdo Hernández,
age not known
Sentence: 16 years
Home town: Güines in Havana province
Prison: Kilo 5½ prison in the municipality
of Pinar del Río
Background: He runs the private "Sebastián
Arcos Bergnes" Library and works as
a journalist for an agency called Grupo
Decoro.
In June 2003, it was reported that José
Ubaldo Izquierdo fell while handcuffed,
requiring nine stitches in his head and
treatment for two wrist fractures. He was
transferred to the Provincial Hospital in
Pinar del Río.
38. Reinaldo Miguel Labrada Peña,
40
Sentence: 6 years
Home town: Las Tunas
Prison: Guantánamo provincial prison
Background: He is a member of the unofficial
Movimiento Cristiano Liberación,
Christian Liberation Movement. He has been
involved in the work around the Proyecto
Varela initiative.
According to reports, he has been denied
access to religious services, time outdoors
and to adequate light and ventilation in
his cell.
39. Librado Ricardo Linares García,
42
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Camajuaní, Villa Clara province
Prison: Combinado del Este prison in the
municipality of Guanabacoa, Havana province
Background: He is president of the unofficial
Movimiento Cubano Reflexión, Cuban
Reflection Movement in Camajuaní. He is
an engineer by profession and, after reportedly
being expelled from the Communist Party
in 1992 for calling for economic reforms,
has been involved in dissident activities
for a number of years.
According to reports, in September 2003
he and fellow prisoner of conscience Luis
Enrique Ferrer were transferred to a punishment
cell in Combinado del Este, Havana, for
having refused to salute a prison official;
reported conditions in punishment cells
habitually fall far below international
standards. The two prisoners, along with
prisoners of conscience Guido Sigler Amaya
and Alfredo Pulido López, apparently carried
out a hunger strike over several days in
September until both Librado Ricardo Linares
García and Luis Enrique Ferrer were returned
to their cells. His family visits have been
reportedly cancelled since August 2003.
His family has repeatedly complained that,
as a form of harassment, Librado Ricardo
Linares Garcia has not been permitted either
to receive or to send correspondence under
the same conditions as other prisoners.
40. Marcelo Manuel López Bañobre,
40
Sentence: 15 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Guanajay prison in Havana province
Background: He is a tugboat captain by occupation
and is the spokesperson for the unofficial
Comisión Cubana de Derechos Humanos y
Reconciliación Nacional, Cuban Commission
for Human Rights and National Reconciliation.
According to reports, Marcelo Manuel López
Bañobre suffers from a neurological disease,
emphysema of the lungs, high blood pressure
and orthopaedic problems.
41. Héctor Fernando Maseda Gutiérrez,
61
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Manacas prison in the municipality
of Manacas
Background: He is reportedly an engineer
and physicist by profession. Since becoming
involved in dissident activities, he has
written many articles, especially on history,
economy and culture, which have been published
in different sites.
According to reports, he suffers from scabies
and has contracted different allergies due
to prison conditions. His family has reportedly
tried to ease his condition by bringing
clean sheets and other materials, but this
has not been permitted by prison authorities.
42. José Miguel Martínez Hernández,
39
Sentence: 13 years
Home town: Quivicán in Havana province
Prison: Kilo 8 prison in Camagüey municipality
Background: He is an area representative
for the unofficial political group Movimiento
24 de Febrero, 24 February Movement.
He has been active with the Proyecto
Varela and has a private library, the
"General Juan Bruno Zayas" library,
in his house.
In September, he and other prisoners of
conscience imprisoned in Kilo 8 were reportedly
threatened with having conjugal and other
family visits suspended if they persisted
in studying the Bible in their cells.
43. Mario Enrique Mayo Hernández,
38
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Camagüey
Prison: Mar Verdad prison, province of Santiago
de Cuba
Background: He is a lawyer by profession.
He has worked as a journalist, publishing
articles in the media, and is director of
the Félix Varela unofficial press
agency in Camagüey.
Mario Enrique Mayo reportedly suffers from
high blood pressure and haemorrhoids, ailments
which have apparently worsened during his
time in prison.
In August, prison guards reportedly prevented
Mario Enrique Mayo from collecting medicine
and food brought for him by his wife. In
protest, he declared an indefinite hunger
strike and was joined by six other prisoners
of conscience. They demanded better medical
assistance and food for prisoners in Holguín
prison. Mario Enrique Mayo had to be taken
to the medical unit in the prison due to
deterioration of his health during the strike.
The protest ended on 25 August when according
to reports the authorities agreed with Mario
Enrique Mayo's demands.
On 18 October 2003, Mario Enrique Mayo joined
a hunger strike of six other prisoners to
protest against the detention in a punishment
cell on 17 October of fellow prisoner Iván
Hernández Carrillo after the latter reportedly
shouted criticisms of the government and
accused prison authorities of denying him
medical assistance. Reported conditions
in punishment cells habitually fall far
below international standards.
On 6 November, five women relatives of the
hunger strikers travelled to Holguín prison
to enquire for the health of their relatives.
They were reportedly not allowed to speak
personally with any of them, but were told
by prison officials that the hunger strike
had ended that day. Prison officials reportedly
promised that their relatives would be allowed
to telephone home on 10 November; however
no calls were received.
Due to his participation in the hunger strike,
Mario Enrique Mayo was reportedly transferred
to Mar Verdad Prison, province of Santiago
de Cuba.
44. Luis Milán Fernández, 34
Sentence: 13 years
Home town: Santiago de Cuba
Prison: Ciego de Avila provincial prison
(called "Canaleta")
Background: He is reportedly a medical doctor
by profession. He is a member of the unofficial
Colegio Médico de Cuba, Cuban Medical
Association.
There is no additional information available
on his current situation.
45. Nelson Moliné Espino, 39
Sentence: 21 years
Home Town: San Miguel del Padrón, Havana
province
Prison: Reportedly transferred from Kilo
8 prison to Kilo 5 ½ both in Pinar del Río
municipality in October 2003
Background: He is president of the unofficial
Confederación de Trabajadores Democráticos
de Cuba, Confederation of Democratic
Workers of Cuba, and a member of the unofficial
Partido 30 de noviembre, 30 November
Party.
Nelson Moliné is said to suffer from diarrhoea
and sores on his skin due to infected mosquito
bites.
According to reports, since his trial in
April 2003 he has again been tried and sentenced
to an additional year on charges of "desacato,"
or "disrespect". The basis of
the charges and conviction were not clear.
In early October 2003, in what was reported
as a form of additional punishment for Nelson
Moliné and harassment for family members,
he was allegedly brought to a family meeting
handcuffed and shackled.
46. Angel Juan Moya Acosta, 39
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: a prison in Bayamo, Granma province
Background: He is president of the unofficial
Movimiento Opción Alternativa, Alternative
Option Movement, in Matanzas province, as
well as a member of the Consejo Nacional
de Resistencia Cívica, National Council
of Civic Resistance, both organisations
which have not been recognised by the authorities.
He was active in the Todos Unidos,
''All United'' umbrella movement. He has
previously been considered a prisoner of
conscience by Amnesty International.
From 15 to 25 August 2003 he apparently
joined Mario Enrique Mayo on his hunger
strike demanding better medical assistance
and food for prisoners in Holguín Prison.
The protest ended when the authorities agreed
to give Mario Enrique Mayo a proper diet.
On 18 October 2003, Angel Moya reportedly
joined a hunger strike of six other prisoners
to protest against the detention in a punishment
cell on 17 October of fellow prisoner Iván
Hernández Carrillo after the latter reportedly
shouted criticisms of the government and
accused prison authorities of denying him
medical assistance. Angel Moya was reportedly
transferred to a punishment cell the same
day. Reported conditions in punishment cells
habitually fall far below international
standards.
On 6 November, five women relatives of the
hunger strikers travelled to Holguín prison
to enquire for the health of their relatives.
They were reportedly not allowed to speak
personally with any of them, but were told
by prison officials that the hunger strike
had ended that day. Prison officials reportedly
promised that their relatives would be allowed
to telephone home on 10 November; however
no calls were received.
Due to his participation in the hunger strike,
Angel Moya Acosta was transferred to a prison
in Bayamo, Granma province.
Angel Moya apparently suffers from blockage
of blood vessels of the intestines.
47. Jesús Miguel Mustafá Felipe,
58
Sentence: 25 years
Home town: Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba
province
Prison: Combinado del Este prison in Havana
province
Background: He is a member of the unofficial
Movimiento Cristiano Liberación,
Christian Liberation Movement. He was involved
in collecting signatures for the Proyecto
Varela in his home town of Palma Soriano,
Santiago de Cuba province.
There is no additional information available
on his situation at this time.
48. Félix Navarro Rodríguez, 49
Sentence: 25 years
Home town: Perico, Matanzas province
Prison: Combinado de Guantánamo prison,
Guantánamo
Background: He is a teacher by training,
and a member of the unofficial Partido
Solidaridad Democrática, Democratic
Solidarity Party in the Matanzas province.
In addition, he has been active in the Proyecto
Varela campaign and the Todos Unidos
umbrella movement.
There is no additional information available
on his situation at this time.
49. Jorge Olivera Castillo, 41
Sentence: 18 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Provincial prison in Guantánamo
province
Background: He is director of the unofficial
Havana Press agency. The agency's articles
have been featured on the US-based Nueva
Prensa Cubana, New Cuban Press, website.
According to reports, at the time of his
arrest Jorge Olivera was receiving medical
treatment for chronic inflammation of the
intestine, hiatus hernia and gastric reflux,
a non-specific disease of the rectum and
parasitic infection.
In December 2003, he reportedly underwent
a medical check-up, after which he was also
diagnosed with high blood pressure, high
cholesterol levels, and infection with parasites
(giardiasis and amoebiasis). He has reportedly
had severe weight loss since his detention.
According to the information received, his
family has expressed concern that he may
not be receiving adequate medical attention
for his illnesses at the provincial prison
of Guantánamo.
Letters to and from his family have reportedly
not been reaching their destination, leading
to concerns that his correspondence is being
restricted more than that of other prisoners
as a form of harassment.
50. Pablo Pacheco Avila, 33
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Ciego de Avila
Prison: Agüica prison in the municipality
of Colón in Matanzas province
Background: He works for the unofficial
agency Cooperativa Avileña de Periodistas
Independientes, Avileña Cooperative
of Independent Journalists, in Ciego de
Avila.
He is reportedly suffering from high blood
pressure and migraines, for which he is
said to have received some treatment.
51. Héctor Palacios Ruiz, 62
Sentence: 25 years
Home town: Havana City
Prison: Kilo 5 1/2 prison in Pinar del Río
province
Background: He is the director of the unofficial
Centro de Estudios Sociales, Centre
of Social Studies. He is also the secretary
of the public relations committee of Comité
de Relatoría del Movimiento Todos Unidos,
the Todos Unidos umbrella movement.
In a letter to a friend in November 2003,
Héctor Palacios was reported to have complained
about poor treatment and an aggressive attitude
by prison staff; family members were reportedly
warned by prison officials not to inform
the media of his complaints.
In December 2003, Héctor Palacios and other
prisoners, as well as some family members,
reportedly went on a symbolic twelve hour
hunger strike on the occasion of the 55th
anniversary of the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights.
In January 2004, Héctor Palacios was reported
to be suffering from diarrhoea, ear infection,
high blood pressure and problems with the
kidneys and the gall-bladder. In February
2004, he was said to have been admitted
to hospital for surgical intervention for
a problem with his gall-bladder, as apparently
he suffers from gall stones. Prison authorities
reportedly said that he would undergo surgery
to alleviate the condition, although no
date has been given for the operation.
Allegations of harassment of family members
have been received. Héctor Palacios' wife,
Gisela Delgado, is executive director of
the Independent Libraries Project of Cuba,
Proyecto de Bibliotecas Independientes
de Cuba. In September 2003, she was
denied permission by the Cuban authorities
to leave the country to accept an invitation
from the organizers of a book fair in Gothenburg,
Sweden; she had been asked to attend in
order to speak about the private library
movement in Cuba. According to reports,
she was told by authorities that "a
counter-revolutionary cannot leave the country".
52. Arturo Pérez de Alejo Rodríguez,
age not known
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Manicaragua, Villa Clara province
Prison: Kilo 5 1/2 prison in Pinar del Río
province
Background: He is president of the unofficial
organisation Frente Escambray de Derechos
Humanos, Escambray Human Rights Front.
He was also involved in the Proyecto
Varela initiative in Villa Clara province.
His family has repeatedly complained that,
as a form of harassment by prison officials,
Arturo Pérez de Alejo has not been able
either to receive or to send correspondence
in the same way that other prisoners do.
53. Omar Pernet Hernández, 57
Sentence: 25 years.
Home town: Placeta, Villa Clara
Prison: Los Mangos prison in Bayamo, Granma
province
Background: He is a leader of the unofficial
Movimiento Nacional por los Derechos
Humanos, National Movement for Human
Rights, Mario Manuel de la Peña.
He is active in a number of other organisations
and in the Proyecto Varela in the
area.
Omar Pernet Hernández reportedly suffers
from lung problems, a chronic gastric ulcer,
high blood pressure and swelling of the
legs.
In December 2003, it was reported that Omar
Pernet and another prisoner of conscience,
Fabio Prieto Llorente went on hunger strike
to protest against their confinement with
two other prisoners whom they accused of
vandalising their possessions and other
forms of harassment. The hunger strike ended
24 hours later when the prisoners were moved
to a different cell.
In January 2004, Omar Pernet was apparently
transferred from Guanajay prison in the
province of Havana to Los Mangos prison
in Bayamo, Granma province.
54. Horacio Julio Piña Borrego, 36
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Sandino in the province of Pinar
del Río
Prison: in the Pinar del Río provincial
headquarters of the Department of State
Security
Background: He has been involved with the
Proyecto Varela in Pinar del Río,
as well as being a provincial delegate for
the unofficial Partido Pro Derechos Humanos
en Cuba, Party for Human Rights in Cuba,
which is affiliated with the Sajarov Foundation.
There is no additional information on his
current situation.
55. Fabio Prieto Llorente, age not
known
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Nueva Gerona, Isla de Pinos
Prison: a prison in Camagüey
Background: He works for the unofficial
news agency Agencia de Prensa Independiente
de Isla de Pinos, Isla de Pinos Independent
Press Agency.
In December 2003, Fabio Prieto and fellow
prisoner of conscience Omar Pernet Hernández
reportedly went on hunger strike to protest
against their confinement with two other
prisoners whom they accused of vandalising
their possessions and other forms of harassment.
The hunger strike ended 24 hours later when
the prisoners were moved to a different
cell. According to the information received,
Fabio Prieto was temporarily held in solitary
confinement as punishment for the hunger
strike.
In January 2004, he was apparently transferred
from Guanajay prison in Havana province
to a prison in Camagüey.
56. Alfredo Manuel Pulido López,
42
Sentence: 14 years
Home town: La Mascota in Camagüey province
Prison: Combinado del Este prison in the
municipality of Guanabacoa, Havana province
Background: He worked as a journalist for
the unofficial news agency El Mayor
in Camagüey. In addition, he was reportedly
a member of the unofficial Movimiento
Cristiano Liberación and was involved
in Proyecto Varela activities.
According to reports, in September 2003
he took part in several days of a hunger
strike to protest the transfer of fellow
prisoners of conscience Librado Linares
García and Luis Enrique Ferrer García to
punishment cells for having allegedly refused
to salute a high prison official in a military
manner; reported conditions in punishment
cells habitually fall far below international
standards. His health reportedly deteriorated
to the extent that he had to be taken to
the prison hospital.
His family has apparently charged that,
as an additional form of harassment or punishment,
Alfredo Manuel Pulido has not been permitted
to receive letters and telephone calls in
the same way that other prisoners in similar
circumstances do.
57. José Gabriel Ramón Castillo,
age not known
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Santiago de Cuba.
Prison: Villa Clara youth prison, Santa
Clara city, Santa Clara province
Background: He is a teacher by training
and director of the unofficial Instituto
Independiente Cultura y Democracia,
Independent Culture and Democracy Institute.
José Ramón Castillo also works as a journalist.
In January 2004, according to a document
reportedly smuggled out of the prison, various
prison diaries in the possession of José
Gabriel Ramón were confiscated by the prison
authorities.
He is said to be suffering from circulatory
problems and has been prescribed exercises
by prison medical authorities.
58. Arnaldo Ramos Lauzerique, 61
Sentence: 18 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Holguín provincial prison
Background: He is a member of the unofficial
Instituto Cubano de Economistas Independientes,
the Cuban Institute of Independent Economists.
He is also a member of the umbrella group
Asamblea para promover la sociedad civil,
Assembly to promote civil society.
From 15 to 25 August 2003, Arnaldo Ramos
apparently joined Mario Enrique Mayo on
his hunger strike demanding better medical
attention and food for prisoners in Holguín
Prison. The protest ended when the authorities
agreed to Mario Enrique Mayo's demands.
On 18 October 2003, he reportedly joined
a hunger strike of six other prisoners to
protest against the detention in a punishment
cell on 17 October of fellow prisoner Iván
Hernández Carrillo after the latter reportedly
shouted criticisms of the government and
accused prison authorities of denying him
medical assistance. Reported conditions
in punishment cells habitually fall far
below international standards.
On 6 November, five women relatives of the
hunger strikers travelled to Holguín prison
to enquire for the health of their relatives.
They were reportedly not allowed to speak
personally with any of them, but were told
by prison officials that the hunger strike
had ended that day. Prison officials reportedly
promised that their relatives would be allowed
to telephone home on 10 November; however
no calls were received.
59. Blas Giraldo Reyes Rodríguez,
46
Sentence: 25 years
Home town: in Sanctí Spiritus province
Prison: Agüica prison in the municipality
of Colón in Matanzas province
Background: He is a member of the steering
committee of the Proyecto Varela
in Sancti Spíritus and director of a private
library located in his residence.
His family reports that he suffers from
chronic high blood pressure and has lost
a lot of weight since his arrest. Information
received by Amnesty International indicates
that his wife has been threatened with arrest
by police officials if she continued receiving
visits of support from dissidents.
60. Raúl Rivero Castañeda, 58
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Havana City
Prison: Ciego de Avila Provincial Prison
(called "Canaleta")
Background: He is a poet and a journalist.
In 1995, he founded of the unofficial press
agency Cuba Press, of which he is the director.
Raúl Rivero reportedly suffers from a range
of health problems and is believed to have
undergone severe weight loss since his arrest.
His ailments reportedly include damage to
the nerves of the chest and vitamin deficiency.
Pain is said to have affected his posture,
making him slightly bent.
61. Alexis Rodríguez Fernández, 33
Sentence: 15 years
Home town: Palma Soriano in Santiago de
Cuba province
Prison: Agüica prison in the municipality
of Colón in Matanzas province
Background: He is a member of the unofficial
Movimiento Cristiano Liberación,
Christian Liberation Movement. He was involved
in the Proyecto Varela initiative.
There is no additional information available
on his current situation.
62. Omar Rodríguez Saludes, 38
Sentence: 27 years
Home town: Havana city
Prison: Nieves Morejón prison in Sancti
Spiritus
Background: He is director of the unofficial
Nueva Prensa news agency. In addition
to reporting, he is also a photographer.
Omar Rodríguez reportedly suffers from
kidney problems; no additional information
is available on his health.
In September, he and other prisoners of
conscience imprisoned in Kilo 8 were reportedly
threatened with having conjugal and other
family visits suspended if they persisted
in studying the Bible in their cells. He
has since been transferred from Kilo 8 prison
in Camagüey municipality to Nieves Morejón
prison in Sancti Spiritus.
His family has complained in the past that
his access to correspondence and telephone
communications are unduly restricted, as
a form of additional harassment.
63. Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello,
58
Sentence: 20 years
Home Town: Havana city
Prison: Manto Negro Prison in the municipality
of La Lisa, Havana province. On 24 July
2003 she was transferred to Carlos J Finlay
Military Hospital, Havana.
Background: She is an economist who heads
the unofficial Instituto Cubano de Economistas
Independientes, Cuban Institute of Independent
Economists. She is also the head of the
Asamblea para promover la sociedad civil,
Assembly to promote civil society, an umbrella
organization of dissident groups created
in October 2002 to call for democracy and
greater respect for freedoms.
She has been recognised by Amnesty International
as a prisoner of conscience in the past.
Reportedly in good health before her imprisonment,
Marta Beatriz Roque's health has deteriorated
drastically. In July 2003 she was transferred
to Carlos J Finlay Hospital due to high
blood pressure, chest pain and nose bleeding.
Hospital doctors reportedly diagnosed blockages
in a blood vessel of the heart and she has
ischaemic heart disease. According to the
information received, the medicines prescribed
for the heart are apparently causing her
severe headaches.
Further, in August, doctors reportedly diagnosed
diabetes and Marta Beatriz Roque began treatment.
Subsequent medical difficulties reportedly
include unexplained vaginal bleeding, unstable
blood sugar levels and high blood pressure.
In January 2004, Marta Beatriz Roque was
reported as suffering badly from arthritis,
with symptoms including swollen knees, pain
in her waist and back and deformities in
her hands and feet. Her family has reportedly
expressed concern that she has not been
provided with adequate medical attention,
including for example access to a gynaecologist
to asses the causes of her vaginal bleeding.
64. Omar Moisés Ruiz Hernández, 56
Sentence: 18 years
Home town: Santa Clara city
Prison: Guantánamo provincial prison
Background: He is a journalist for the unofficial
Grupo de Trabajo Decoro, Decoro Working
Group. Previously he was vice delegate of
the unofficial Partido Solidaridad Democrática,
Democratic Solidarity Party, in Villa Clara.
Omar Moisés Ruiz reportedly suffers from
a prostate problem and high blood pressure.
In addition, his family has charged that,
as a form of harassment, prison officials
have not permitted Omar Moisés Ruiz to receive
and send correspondence as freely or regularly
as other prisoners in his situation.
65. Claro Sánchez Altarriba, 50
Sentence: 15 years
Home town: Santiago de Cuba
Prison: Kilo 8 prison, Camagüey municipality
Background: He is a member of the unofficial
Movimiento de Jóvenes Cubanos por la
Democracia, Movement of Cuban Young
People for Democracy, in Santiago de Cuba.
In September, Claro Sánchez was among a
group of prisoners of conscience held in
Kilo 8 prison who were reportedly threatened
with having conjugal and other family visits
suspended if they kept studying the Bible
in their cells.
66. Ariel Sigler Amaya,(15) 39
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Pedro Betancourt town, Matanzas
province
Prison: Ciego de Avila Provincial Prison
(called "Canaleta")
Background: He is a member of the unofficial
Movimiento Opción Alternativa, Alternative
Option Movement, in Matanzas Province.
He was declared a prisoner of conscience
by Amnesty International on a previous occasion.
Ariel Sigler has allegedly been held in
a punishment cell with inadequate light
and water, in violation of international
standards.
According to reports, his family is concerned
about his poor health, and claim that he
is not receiving adequate food or medical
attention; they further charge that prison
authorities are not sharing information
on Ariel Sigler's health with them. His
ailments are said to include muscular stiffness
affecting his movements and speech.
In January 2004, he was said to have been
denied the right to read the Bible.
67. Guido Sigler Amaya, 46
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Pedro Betancourt town, Matanzas
province
Prison: Combinado del Este prison in Guanabacoa
municipality, Havana province
Background: He is a member of the unofficial
Movimiento Opción Alternativa, Alternative
Option Movement, in Matanzas Province. He
has previously been declared a prisoner
of conscience by Amnesty International.
Family members have reported that, like
his brother Ariel, Guido Sigler has been
held in solitary confinement with inadequate
light and water, in breach of international
standards. They are said to be concerned
for his heath, and in particular have requested
that he receive specialised medical attention
for a prostate condition.
According to reports, in September 2003
Guido Sigler took part in several days of
a hunger strike to protest the transfer
of fellow prisoners of conscience Librado
Linares García and Luis Enrique Ferrer García
to punishment cells for having allegedly
refused to salute a high prison official
in a military manner. Reported conditions
in punishment cells habitually fall far
below international standards; his health
reportedly deteriorated to the extent that
he had to be taken to the prison hospital.
He reportedly remained in hospital for an
extended period and at the time of writing,
no information was available on whether
he had been released.
68. Ricardo Silva Gual, age not known
Sentence: 10 years
Home town: not known
Prison: Guantánamo provincial prison
Background: He is a medical doctor and a
member of the unofficial Movimiento Cristiano
Liberación, Christian Liberation Movement.
There is no additional information available
on his current situation.
69. Fidel Suárez Cruz, 33
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: in Pinar del Río province
Prison: Agüica prison in Matanzas province
Background: He is a farmer and a member
of the unofficial Partido Pro Derechos
Humanos en Cuba, Party for Human Rights
in Cuba, in Pinar del Río. He also heads
the private library "San Pablo."
No additional information on his situation
was available at the time of writing.
70. Manuel Ubals González, 34
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: in Guantánamo province
Prison: Agüica prison, in the municipality
of Colón in Matanzas province
Background: He is president of the unofficial
Consejo por la Libertad de Cuba,
Council for the Freedom of Cuba.
His family have reportedly complained that
Manuel Ubals has been prevented from receiving
or sending correspondence in the same way
as other prisoners, as a form of harassment.
71. Julio Antonio Valdés Guevara,
52
Sentence: 20 years
Home town: Manzanillo, Granma province
Prison: Ciego de Avila Provincial Prison
(called "Canaleta")
Background: He is director of the private
library of an unofficial group, Unión
de Activistas y Opositores "Golfo de
Guacanayabo", Union of Activists
and Opponents "Gulf of Guacanayabo,"
in Manzanillo, Granma province.
Julio Antonio Valdés is believed to be suffering
from kidney disease, and is said to be in
need of a transplant. In addition, he reportedly
has dizzy spells and high blood pressure.
Due to his ill health he was apparently
transferred in January 2004 to Salvador
Allende Hospital, known as "La Covadonga",
in Havana city. There is no further information
available on the state of his health.
72. Miguel Valdés Tamayo, 47
Sentence: 15 years
Home town: not known
Prison: Kilo 8 prison in the municipality
of Camagüey
Background: He is vice president of the
unofficial group Hermanos Fraternales
por la Dignidad, Fraternal Brothers
for Dignity. At the time of his detention
he was reportedly working as a television
mechanic in a state run workshop in Havana
province.
Miguel Valdés reportedly suffers from a
number of illnesses including heart problems
and high blood pressure.
In September he and other prisoners of conscience
imprisoned in Kilo 8 were reportedly threatened
with having conjugal and other family visits
suspended if they kept studying the Bible
in their cells.
73. Héctor Raúl Valle Hernández, 35
Sentence: 12 years
Home town: San José de las Lajas, Havana
province
Prison: Guantánamo provincial prison
Background: He is vice president of the
unofficial Confederación de Trabajadores
Democráticos de Cuba, Confederation
of Democratic Workers of Cuba, and an activist
of the unofficial Partido Pro-Derechos
Humanos, Pro Human Rights Party, in
San José de las Lajas.
There is no information available on his
health. According to reports, his family
members have been harassed: in February
2004, his wife was allegedly given an official
summons by local authorities for having
taken part in dissident activities.
74. Manuel Vázquez Portal, 52
Sentence: 18 years
Home town: Havana City
Prison: Ambrosio Grillo hospital in Santiago
de Cuba city
Background: He is a poet. In 1995, he joined
the unofficial independent news agency Cuba
Press. He also helped found the unofficial
independent news agency Grupo de Trabajo
Decoro, Decoro Working Group. At the
time of his arrest, he was working for the
Internet news portal Cubanet, which has
received funding from the governmental United
States Agency for International Development.
On 31 August 2003, together with five other
prisoners of conscience, Manuel Vázquez
reportedly started a hunger strike in Boniato
prison. It was said that they intended to
attract attention to their conditions of
detention, which they claimed included poor
hygiene, insufficient food and limited medical
attention. In what may have been a move
to break the hunger strike, all six prisoners
of conscience were subsequently transferred
to different prisons, with Manuel Vázquez
being moved to the Aguadores prison in Santiago
de Cuba province.
In November 2003, Manuel Vázquez was reported
to be part of a group of about 20 prisoners
who started a hunger strike to protest against
poor conditions and in solidarity with prisoners
of conscience in Holguín province. According
to reports, he terminated his hunger strike
at the end of November.
In January 2004, Manuel Vázquez was said
to have been transferred to Ambrosio Grillo
hospital in Santiago de Cuba with health
problems; reportedly, medical examinations
have revealed lung disease.
75. Antonio Augusto Villareal Acosta
Sentence: 15 years.
Home town: Villa Clara
Prison: Boniato provincial prison in Santiago
de Cuba province
Background: He was involved in collecting
signatures for the Proyecto Varela.
According to reports, Antonio Augusto Villareal,
along with five other prisoners of conscience
in Boniato prison, started a hunger strike
on 31 August to draw attention to poor hygienic
conditions, insufficient food and limited
medical attention in the prison. As reported
above, all of them were subsequently transferred
to different prisons; Amnesty International
is not aware of the prison to which Antonio
Augusto Villareal was transferred.
According to reports, Antonio Augusto Villareal's
health has deteriorated since his arrest
and he has undergone severe weight loss.
No further details were available on his
medical condition.
Reports indicate that as a form of harassment,
prison authorities have not allowed him
to send or receive letters as other prisoners
do.
********
(1) For more information see Cuba: "Essential
measures"? Human rights crackdown in
the name of security, June 2003, AI Index:
AMR 25/014/2003.
(2) Law 87 of 1999, which modifies the Penal
Code, changes the provisions regarding sentencing
to provide for life imprisonment.
(3) Law 62, Penal Code, National Assembly
of Popular Power, 1987, Article 91. Unofficial
translation.
(4) Law 88 was passed in response to US policy
as laid out in the 'Cuban Liberty and Democratic
Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996,' or 'Helms-Burton
Act', which toughened the US embargo on Cuba.
(5) Law 88, For the Protection of National
Independence and the Economy of Cuba, published
in the Official Gazette of the Republic of
Cuba, Special Edition, Number 1, dated 15
March 1999.
(6) For Amnesty International, prisoners of
conscience are people detained anywhere for
their beliefs or because of their ethnic origin,
sex, colour, language, national or social
origin, economic status, birth or other status,
who have not used or advocated violence.
(7) Body of Principles for the Protection
of All Persons under Any Form of Detention
or Imprisonment, adopted by General Assembly
resolution 43/173 of 9 December 1988.
(8) Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment
of Prisoners, adopted by the First United
Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime
and the Treatment of Offenders, held at Geneva
in 1955, and approved by the Economic and
Social Council by its resolution 663 C (XXIV)
of 31 July 1957 and 2076 (LXII) of 13 May
1977.
(9) Ibid.
(10) Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
(11) Op cit., Body of Principles for the Protection
of All Persons under Any Form of Detention
or Imprisonment, principle 24.
(12) Some sources indicate that he is several
years older.
(13) The Proyecto Varela is a petition for
referendum on legal reform which seeks greater
personal, political and economic freedoms,
as well as amnesty for political prisoners.
It is led by Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, of the
Movimiento Cristiano Liberación, Christian
Liberation Movement, and signatures were collected
by a broad range of organisations. In March
2002 project organisers reported having collected
the 10,000 signatures constitutionally required
to hold a referendum; these were submitted
to the National Assembly. Activists for the
Proyecto Varela have been subjected to threats,
short-term detention, summons, confiscation
of materials and other forms of harassment
by State Security agents; several of the leaders
of Proyecto Varela were arrested in the March
2003 crackdow
(14) This annual event was initiated in 1991
with the goal of bringing together Heads of
State of the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking
nations of Europe and America to discuss issues
of common concern.
(15) A third member of the Sigler Amaya family,
Miguel Sigler Amaya, is also a prisoner of
conscience. See Cuba: Newly declared prisoners
of conscience, January 2004 AI Index: AMR
25/002/2004. |