Cuba: Update – Friends and colleagues prevented from attending the funeral of Laura Pollan as crackdown against human rights defenders continues

(Source: http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/es/node/16313)

Front Line expresses its deepest regrets at the death of prominent human rights defender, Ms Laura Pollan, from complications linked to Dengue Fever. Laura Pollan was the founder of Damas de Blanco, a human rights organisation which advocates for the release of political prisoners in Cuba and was the recipient of the 2005 European Parliament Sakharov Prize for Freedom and Thought.

Further Information

Front Line is concerned that the crackdown against human rights defenders continues unabated. This is evidenced by the actions of security forces in preventing dozens of human rights defenders, journalists and activists from attending the funeral mass of Laura Pollan. It is reported that several human rights defenders were beaten and arrested, and some had the flowers that they were taking to the church destroyed by police officers.
For further information, please see the original urgent appeal issued on 6 October 2011