Harassment, intimidation and arrest of dissidents continues
Posted: 16 March 2011
Authorities in Cuba are continuing to stifle freedom of expression in
spite of the much-publicised recent wave of releases of prominent
dissidents, reported Amnesty International today on the eighth
anniversary of a crackdown on activists.
Hundreds of pro-democracy activists have suffered harassment,
intimidation and arbitrary arrest in recent weeks as the Cuban
government employs new tactics to stamp out dissent.
Of 75 activists arrested in a crackdown around 18 March 2003, only three
remain in jail after 50 releases since last June, with most of the freed
activists currently exiled in Spain. Amnesty has called for the
remaining prisoners to be released immediately and unconditionally.
Amnesty International's Cuba Researcher Gerardo Ducos said:
"The release of those detained in the 2003 crackdown is a hugely
positive step but it tells only one side of the story facing Cuban human
rights activists.
"Those living on the island are still being targeted for their work,
especially through short-term detentions, while repressive laws give the
Cuban authorities a free rein to punish anyone who criticises them.
"Meanwhile, three of the prisoners detained eight years ago still
languish in prison and must be freed immediately."
In one recent crackdown the authorities detained over one hundred people
in one day in a pre-emptive strike designed to stop activists marking
the death of activist Orlando Zapata Tamayo, who died following a
prolonged hunger strike while in detention.
On 23 February, the one-year anniversary of Tamayo's death, according to
the Cuban Commission of Human Rights and National Reconciliation, the
authorities placed over 50 people under house arrest before freeing them
hours later.
Activist Néstor Rodríguez Lobaina was recently named a prisoner of
conscience by Amnesty International after being detained without trial
for over three months.
The president of the Cuban Youth Movement for Democracy was arrested
after organisng an activists' meeting inside his own home.
Gerardo Ducos continued:
"Cubans are still at the mercy of draconian laws that class activism as
a crime. Anyone who dares to criticise the authorities is at risk of
detention. In addition to releasing long-term prisoners of conscience,
to properly realise freedom of expression the Cuban government also has
to change its laws."
Background Information
Seventy-five people were jailed in a massive crackdown against the
dissident movement around 18 March 2003 for the peaceful exercise of
their right to freedom of expression. Most of them were charged with
crimes including "acts against the independence of the state" because
they allegedly received funds and/or materials from US-based NGOs
financed by the US government.
They were sentenced to between six and 28 years in prison after speedy
and unfair trials for engaging in activities the authorities perceived
as subversive and damaging to Cuba.
These activities included publishing articles or giving interviews to
US-funded media, communicating with international human rights
organisations and having contact with entities or individuals viewed to
be hostile to Cuba.
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