Wife and Children of Imprisoned Cuban Pastor to be Evicted
By Jeremy Reynalds
Correspondent for ASSIST News Service
SURREY, ENGLAND (ANS) -- Cuban authorities have notified the wife of
imprisoned Pastor Omar Gude Perez that the family home will be confiscated.
According to a news release from human rights organization Christian
Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), the family will be relocated to a
significantly smaller apartment in poor condition outside the city of
Camaguey.
CSW reported that Kenia, the pastor's wife, has told officials she and
her children will not leave the home voluntarily. She has called on the
European Union, and other members of the international community, to
actively monitor the family's situation.
According to CSW, government officials have been threatening the family
with eviction since last July, when Perez was sentenced to a six year
and seven month prison term.
CSW said the official reason given for the home seizure and the family's
subsequent move is "illicit gain."
However, the organization said, Kenia has been informed repeatedly by
the authorities that she is being punished for continuing to inform
international human rights organizations, and representatives of foreign
governments, about the human rights violations her family has suffered.
CSW said the family will be forced to move from what Kenia described as
a large comfortable house in the city to a three bedroom apartment in
very bad condition. She said the location of the apartment, outside the
city, will make it difficult for the children to travel to and from
their school.
CSW's National Director, Stuart Windsor said in a news release, "There
is no justifiable reason for the confiscation of the family home, and
the authorities' targeting of innocent children is absolutely
reprehensible. The international community must make it clear to the
Cuban government that the persecution of this family must stop. CSW
continues to demand the release of Pastor Gude Perez, but also insists
that the government leaves Kenia and their two children in peace."
CSW is a human rights organization which focuses on issues of religious
freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian
beliefs, and promotes religious liberty for all.
No comments:
Post a Comment