For the first time in Cuba a peaceful movement is flourishing, where the main actors are the citizens, fighting for the respect of human rights and national reconciliation. This is the Spring of Cuba.

But this Spring, unlike that in other countries, did not arise from an opening of the government, but from the determination and courage of many Cubans: artists, journalists, independent librarians, defenders of human rights and principally from tens of thousands of citizens who are supporting the Varela Project campaign.

Regardless of the political ideology of each one of the detainees, we call for their immediate liberation and for solidarity to the demands for the respect of the rights called for in the Varela Project.

Havana, Cuba; March 22, 2003

For information on the Varela Project, go to: www.cubaproyectovarela.org