DemocracyAlerts
From time to time, the World Movement for Democracy issues alerts concerning participants and other colleagues who are, or may be, facing personal danger due to their work on behalf of democracy and for whom a vigorous response from around the world may be critical.
To see previous alerts go to www.wmd.org/democracyalerts/democracyAlerts.html.
Crackdown on Cuban Dissidents
UPDATES
(July 23, 2004)
Cuban Dissident Economist Freed (Marta Beatriz Roque)
(June 16, 2003)
Appeal by independent Cuban trade unionists requesting international solidarity
During the International Conference of the International Labor Organization (ILO), members adopted a resolution condemning the human rights violations and the violations of international law in Cuba. The appeal specifically mentions seven labor activists that were arrested in April. Independent Cuban trade unionists call for international solidarity in defense of human and labor rights.
World Movement participants receive prison term sentences
- World Movement participant Oscar Elias Biscet received a 25 year sentence on Thursday, April 10, 2003. Doctor Biscet is a well-known physician that was arrested and detained in December during a protest.
- Librado Linares García of the Movimiento Cubano Reflexión received a 20 year prison sentence.
- Economist and political activist Marta Beatriz Roque was among the first activists tried during the crackdown. Although she was threatened with a life sentence, she must now serve 20 years in prison. During the trial, her secretary acknowledged spying for Castro as an informant.
(See the links to recent articles below for more information.)
The World Movement for Democracy has learned that nearly 80 Cuban human rights activists, independent trade union members, and journalists have suffered harassment and imprisonment by Fidel Castro's government since March 18, 2003. These activists have been accused of carrying out subversive activities and conspiring with the United States. Authorities have seized many of their computers, books, and typewriters. The crackdown represents a violation of their universal rights to freedom of expression and association. Concerned that the international community is currently distracted by the war in Iraq, many human rights groups and international organizations have stepped up efforts calling for the release of these individuals or at least fair trials.
The World Movement for Democracy is especially concerned for the safety and protection of three Cuban democracy activists invited to its Third Assembly, "Building Democracy for Peace, Development, and Human Rights," which will take place in Durban, South Africa. The World Movement participants who have been detained include Librado Linares of Movimiento Cubano Reflexión (Cuban Reflection Movement), Marta Beatriz Roque of Instituto Cubano de Economistas Independientes (Cuban Institute of Independent Economists), and Oscar Elias Biscet González of the Fundacion Lawton de Derechos Humanos (Lawton Foundation for Human Rights).
Trials began last Thursday in the Provincial Tribunal in Havanaand are expected to conclude at the end of this week. Opposition activists fear the dissidents will be tried under a law called the "Law Against National Independence," that could result in a minimum of 10-year sentences to life-in-prison for publishing "subversive" materials. (Click here to see a list of the detained activists and their sentences.) The activists suffering imprisonment seek to exercise their civil and political liberties, and the international community can move to protect these liberties by publicly highlighting their right to freedom of expression.
Suggested Action:
Please write a letter in Spanish or your own first language to President Castro and/or to the Cuban Embassy in your country addressing your concerns for the detainees. Contact information can be found in the Amnesty International statement below.
You may also want to consider distributing the letter to your local newspapers for publication. Since several of the detainees are leaders of the independent labor movement or are independent journalists, you also may consider sharing your letters and this information with local labor leaders and journalist organizations.
The following is a sample letter from a participant in the World Movement for Democracy to President Castro:
President Fidel Castro Ruz
Office of the President
Havana, Cuba
DATE
Dear President Fidel Castro
It has come to my attention that dozens of Cuban citizens have recently been detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Three of these citizens facing threats have been invited to attend the Third Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy, an association of democratic thinkers and activists from all regions of the world. Of the invited Cuban participants, Librado Linares of Movimiento Cubano Reflexión, Marta Beatriz Roque of Instituto Cubano de Economistas Independientes, and Oscar Elias Biscet González of the Fundacion Lawton de Derechos Humanos have been detained.
These Cuban citizens are working peacefully to protect and promote freedom and equality, and exercising their universal rights of expression and association. Their detention represents a violation of these freedoms. As a participant in the World Movement for Democracy, I urge you to take whatever actions necessary to release these individuals or at least to ensure that they are tried according to international standards.
Thank you for giving this message the attention that it deserves.
Sincerely,
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
PUBLIC AI Index: AMR 25/007/2003
UA 79/03 Possible prisoners of conscience, 19 March 2003
CUBA Over two dozen dissidents
On 18 March, over two dozen possible prisoners of conscience were detained solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Their current whereabouts are unknown and they could face up to 20 years in prison under harsh legislation introduced in 1999.
In a rare event, the Cuban government reportedly announced their detention on national television and accused them of being linked to "actividades conspirativas", "acts of conspiracy" by James Cason, the Head of the US Interests Section in Havana. The official communiqué stated that they would be tried and brought to justice and that the laws against "complicidad con el enemigo" "complicity with the enemy" were still in force and could be used.
According to human rights defenders in Cuba, all the detainees are known dissidents and were arrested in Havana and the provinces. They include: Osvaldo Alfonso (m), Pedro Argüelles Morán (m), Luis Cino (m), Roberto de Miranda (m), Orlando Fundora (m), José Ramón Gabril Castillo (m), Miguel Galbán (m), Edel José García Díaz (m), José Luis García Paneque (m), Léster González (m), Ricardo González Alfonso (m), Iván Hernández Carrillo (m), Librado Linares (m), Jorge Olivera (m), Enrique Pérez (m), Arturo Pérez de Alejo (m), José Antonio Pérez Morell (m), José Ramón (m), Omar Rodríguez Saludes (m), Ariel (m) and Miguel Sigler Amaya (m) and ten others.
Earlier in March, President Castro had criticised James Cason, the Head of the US Interests Section, for visiting the home of dissident and former prisoner of conscience, Marta Beatriz Roque Cabello, and making declarations to the press.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In February 1999 Cuba's National Assembly passed tough legislation (Law 88), called the "Ley de Protección de la Independencia Nacional y la Economía de Cuba", "Law for the Protection of the National Independence and Economy of Cuba". The law calls for seven to 15 years imprisonment for passing information to the United States that could be used to bolster anti-Cuban measures such as the US economic blockade. This would rise to 20 years if the information is acquired surreptitiously. The legislation also bans the ownership, distribution or reproduction of "subversive materials" from the US government, and proposes terms of imprisonment of up to five years for collaborating with radio and TV stations and publications deemed to be assisting US policy.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Spanish or your own language:
- expressing concern at the recent arrests of over two dozen Cuban dissidents who could be prisoners of conscience, detained solely for peacefully attempting to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly;
- urging that they be either released or tried according to international standards;
- urging that they be granted immediate access to lawyers of their choosing and any necessary medical assistance.
APPEALS TO (Please note, fax numbers to Cuba can be unreliable. Please send your faxes via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs):
President
Su Excelencia
Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz
Presidente de los Consejos de Estado y de Ministros
La Habana, Cuba
Telegram: President Castro, La Habana, Cuba
Fax: +53 7 333085 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Salutation: Su Excelencia/ Your Excellency
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Minister of Foreign Affairs
Sr. Felipe Pérez Roque
Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores
Calzada No. 360
Vedado
La Habana, Cuba
Telegram: Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores, La Habana, Cuba
Fax: +53 7 333085
E-mail: cubaminrex@minrex.gov.cu
Salutation: Señor Ministro/Dear Minister
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Interior Secretary
General Abelardo Colomé Ibarra
Ministerio del Interior y Prisiones
Ministerio del Interior
Plaza de la Revolución
La Habana, Cuba
Telegram: Ministerio del Interior, La Habana, Cuba
Fax: +53 7 333085 (c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Salutation: Señor Ministro/Dear Minister |
and to diplomatic representatives of Cuba accredited to your country.
COPIES TO:
Sr. Jacinto Granda de Laserna
Director, Diario Granma
Apdo 6260, La Habana, Cuba
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PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 30 April 2003.
The following letter from Madeline Albright on behalf of the National Democractic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) was widely distributed to many recipients, including all members of the US Congress.
March 31, 2003
Dear Friend,
As Chairman of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), I am writing to seek your support for the more than 70 human rights and democracy activists suffering under a recent crackdown by the Cuban government. A broad cross-section of Cubans, including independent journalists, human rights activists and independent trade union members, has suffered harassment, intimidation and imprisonment.
Among those the Cuban government has targeted are organizers of the Varela Project, an unparalleled effort to advance through peaceful means fundamental political and civil liberties in Cuba. As you may know, the Varela Project draws upon a provision in the Cuban constitution that enables citizens to introduce legislation when accompanied by 10,000 signatures. In May 2002, the organizers submitted 11,020 signatures to the National Assembly calling for a referendum on open elections, freedom of speech, freedom for political prisoners, and free enterprise. While the Cuban government has attempted to suppress the Project, the number of signatories and the strength of the movement continue to grow.
NDI has been working with the Varela Project's supporters to promote the movement internationally. International support is essential to raising the profile of this important effort and in providing solidarity with the organizers and signers. Last September, in recognition of his courageous efforts to promote peaceful change in Cuba, NDI bestowed its highest honor, the 2002 W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award, on Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas, the Project's leader. In December, the European Parliament awarded Mr. Payá with its Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, and former Czech President Václav Havel and other world leaders have nominated him for the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize.
The activists arrested in this crackdown seek only to exercise fundamental political and civil liberties, such as the right to self-expression. Such liberties are universally recognized in international human rights conventions and must be respected by any government.
Attached please find a statement from Mr. Payá calling for the immediate release of the activists and respect for the fundamental rights that thousands of Cubans are seeking through the Varela Project. I hope that you will share your concern about this repression of freedom in Cuba and the welfare of the activists.
Sincerely
Madeleine K. Albright
Chairman
Oswaldo Paya's statement:
SOLIDARITY WITH THE PRISONERS OF SPRING IN CUBA
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
Oswaldo Paya Sardiñas
National Coordinator
Citizens Committees for the Promotion of the Varela Project
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Francisco de Armas
International Representative
Citizens Committees for the Promotion of the Varela Project
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For information on the Varela Project, go to: www.cubaproyectovarela.org/
For more information on the situation:
ARTICLES
STATEMENTS
WEB SITES
Appeal by independent Cuban trade unionists requesting international solidarity
La Habana, Cuba
June 16 2003
Urgent Appeal to International Labor Organizations
The International Conference of the International Labor Organization adopted a resolution dated June 11th that condemns the government of the Republic of Cuba. This is an unprecedented event in our nation's history. The resolution, attached herein, is further proof that awareness continues to grow in the international community regarding the absence of freedoms and the flagrant violations of international law perpetrated by the Cuban government against the best interests of our workers, our labor movement and our people in general.
The Cuban government is signatory to eighty-eight ILO agreements. Unfortunately, signing said international commitments has not bound the government to abide by them or respect their tenets.
Cuba's incipient Independent Labor Movement has been plagued by confrontation with the government. Our offices have been repeatedly searched and our working materials confiscated. State Security agents spy on us and tap our communications. Our labor activists endure beatings, and physical as well as psychological abuse. They are fired from their jobs for political reasons, and most recently, last April seven of our labor leaders were sentenced to a total of 150 years in prison. They are:
Carmelo Díaz Fernández, 63 years of age. President, Unión Sindical Cristiana (Christian Labor Union) and assistant director, Centro Nacional de Capacitación Sindical y Laboral (National Center for Labor and Labor Union Education and Training). Sentenced to 16 years.
Miguel Galván Gutiérrez, 38 years of age. Executive board member, Centro Nacional de Capacitacion Sindical y Laboral. Sentenced to 26 years.
Pedro Pablo Alvarez Ramos, 53 years of age. Secretary General, Consejo Unitario de Trabajadores Cubanos (Unitary Council of Cuban Workers). Sentenced to 25 years.
Alfredo Felipe Fuentes. Delegate from Havana Province, Consejo Unitario de Trabajadores Cubanos. Sentenced to 26 years.
Nelson Molinet Espino. 37 years of age. President, Confederación de Trabajadores Democráticos de Cuba (Federation of Cuban Democratic Workers). Sentenced to 20 years.
Héctor Raúl Valle Fernández. 35 years of age. Vice-president, Confederación de Trabajadores Democráticos de Cuba. Sentenced to 12 years.
Iván Carrillo Hernández. Exective board member, Confederación Obrera Nacional Independiente de Cuba (Cuba's Independent National Workers' Federation). Sentenced to 25 years.
These adverse conditions have highlighted, first and foremost, the government's intolerance. We are worried about this state of affairs because it confirms the process of political deterioration that is taking place in our country, also demonstrated by the open confrontation staged against the European Union and many countries in Latin America. Regardless, we remain active, and will continue to work for labor rights and the rights of Cuban workers to organize unions.
In order to prevent the forces of repression from annihilating our movement with further waves of arrests, harassment and mass sanctions, we request from our fellow labor activists across the free world to please:
- Raise your voices in solidarity with our cause!
- Use every means available to ask the Cuban government to respect labor rights, union rights and human rights!
- Ask the Cuban government to free our brothers who have been unjustly sentenced to long prison terms!
- Inform foreign investors doing business in Cuba today that our workers' rights are trampled upon!
Today more than ever, we need your active solidarity. We need you to exert pressure to avert a fatal crisis in our country. We, the undersigned, executive committee members of the various independent labor organizations in Cuba, shall continue our peaceful struggle for respect of workers' rights, and for the right to organize free labor unions, and to train and educate Cuban workers about union and labor practices.
We can be contacted at the following numbers for additional information. In Cuba: 537-879-3412 or 5345-8-2845.
Confederacion Obrera Nacional Independiente de Cuba (CONIC) / Cuba's Independent National Workers' Federation
Caridad Diaz Beltran
Sergio Suarez Inclan
Pablo Gregorio Molina Nieves
Idelmar Bauza de La Rosa
Isabel Rubí Batista
Alcibíades Rivero González
Unión Sindical de Trabajadores Independientes de Cuba (USTIC) / Cuba's Independent Workers Labor Union
Raimundo Jorge Martínez
Alfredo Vivanco González
Jorge Luis Rubí Rubí
Confederación de Trabajadores Democráticos de Cuba (CTDC) / Cuban Federation of pro-Democracy Workers
Velsis Cabrera
Mayelín Cedeño
Unión de Trabajadores Cristianos (UTC) / Christian Workers Union
Manuel Ismael León Paneque
Manuel Víctor Rodríguez Rodríguez
Maritza Castro Martínez
Rev. Ricardo Santiago Medina Galabarría
Manuel Fernández Roche
Centro Nacional de Capacitación Sindical y Laboral (CNCSL) / National Center for Labor and Labor Union Education and Training
Víctor Manuel Domínguez García
María López Vela
Central Sindical Cristiana / Christian Union Organization
Orlando Agapito Alvelo Padrón
Ismael Omar Castellanos
Jorge Magdalena Gómez
Dulce María Amador Morales
Felipe Careras Hernández
Eduardo Bravo Calderón
Gisela Perico Sánchez
Sindicato de Conductores de Bicitaxis / Bicycle Taxi Drivers Union
Milton Meléndez Reinaldo
Roger Benìtez Machadomarcial Torres Guisado
Sindicato Libre de Trabajadores Cubanos / Free Cuban Workers Union
María Elena Mir Marrero
Reinaldo Cosano Alén
Federación de Plantas Eléctricas, Gas y Agua de Cuba (Granma) / Cuban Federation of Electric, Gas and Water Plants (Granma province)
Angel Luis Ferreiro
Luis Sergio Núñez Rodríguez
Damaris Santana Aguilera
Gabriel Díaz Sánchez
Félix Rivero
Ariel Arzuaga Peña
Rolando Pérez Alfonso
Central Sindical Cristiana (Independiente) / Independent Christian Union Organization
William Toledo Terrero
Ivette Toledo Mompé
Julio Román Hernández
Odalis Miranda Suárez
Vicente González Lezcano
Lourdes Milián Romero
Carlos Toledo Terrero
Asociación de Trabajadores por Cuenta Propia / Association of Self-Employed Workers
Ismael Salazar Agüero
Osmany Hernández Fraga
Ernesto Capote Suárez
Luz María Rodríguez Avila
Gladis Rodríguez Rodríguez
Orlando Ponte Flores
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