Cuban Human Rights Group Denounces 1,414 Political Arrests in January

Cuban Human Rights Group Denounces 1,414 Political Arrests in January /
EFE (14ymedio)
Posted on February 4, 2016

EFE (14ymedio), Havana, 4 February 2016 — The dissident Cuban Commission
for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN) reported Thursday
that political repression continues its ascent on the island, where in
January there were at least 1,414 political arrests, one of the highest
monthly figures in the last decade.

This group, the only one keep an account of these incidents in the
country, said in its monthly report on political repression that the
number of arrests this January was surpassed only in November 2015, when
1,447 cases were reported.

The Commission, led by the dissident Elizardo Sanchez, said that in
addition to the arrests, 56 peaceful dissidents were victims of physical
assaults in January, three suffered acts of repudiation, and 68 cases of
harassment and two of vandalism were recorded.

According to the CCDHRN, such acts are orchestrated by State Security
police and other "repressive and paramilitary elements" present in Cuba,
where the government "has exercised authoritarian power for 58 years."

The government, according to the organization, is resorting more
frequently to prolonged detention and provisional internment without
trial, which often extends for long months, "a policy intended to wear
down the opponents."

"The number of prisoners is increasing unstoppably and in the huge
prison system inhumane and degrading conditions of detention continue to
prevail, while the government still refuses to accept the cooperation of
the International Red Cross and other international NGOs," laments the
Commission.

Source: Cuban Human Rights Group Denounces 1,414 Political Arrests in
January / EFE (14ymedio) | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/cuban-human-rights-group-denounces-1414-political-arrests-in-january-efe-14ymedio/