Amnesty
International. 16 January 2001.
Amnesty International has today sent a letter to the Cuban authorities
expressing its concerns at the recent serious escalation in the arrests and
harassment of political opponents in Cuba.
"The increasing number of people jailed for peacefully exercising their
rights to freedom of expression, clearly demonstrates the level to which the
government will go in order to weaken the political opposition and suppress
dissidents," Amnesty International said today.
In its letter to the Cuban authorities, Amnesty International has requested
information about the legal situation of 14 individuals who were detained in the
context of the recent escalation. Amnesty International believes that some or
all of those listed in its letter could be "prisoners of conscience".
The current wave of oppression began in October 2000 with the mass arrests
and convictions of those engaged in 'counter-revolutionary' activities, such as
trade union activists. The harassment intensified in December, around the
anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, during which Angel
Moya Acosta and Julia Cecilia Delgado were arrested and subsequently sentenced
to a year in prison for "disrespect". Amnesty International calls for
their immediate and unconditional release as "prisoners of conscience".
Background
Angel Moya Acosta is a former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience
and member of the illegal Movimiento Opción Alternativa, Alternative
Option Movement. He was detained in December 1999 after participating in a
peaceful demonstration in Pedro Betancourt village, Matanzas province, to
celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Although he was charged, no trial or sentencing ever took place. He was released
in August 2000.
Julia Cecilia Delgado, president of the illegal Asociación de
Reconciliación y Recuperación de los Valores Humanos, Association
for Reconciliation and the Recovery of Human Values, was detained after
participating in a peaceful march on 4 December 2000.
Currently, several hundred people, 16 of whom have been identified by
Amnesty International as "prisoners of conscience" detained for
peaceful exercise of the freedom of expression, association or assembly, are
imprisoned for political offences in Cuba. In addition to these "prisoners
of conscience", Amnesty International continues to be concerned at the
severe harassment to which dissidents, including journalists, members of
political organizations and human rights advocates, are subjected.
AI-index: AMR 25/001/2001 16/01/2001
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For a list of the individuals named in the letter or more information please
call Amnesty International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566
Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW web:
http://www.amnesty.org
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